Movember is the leading charity that helps raise awareness of men’s health. In particular testicular cancer, prostate cancer, and mental health and suicide prevention.
Men’s health is in crisis. Men are dying on average 6 years earlier than women, and for largely preventable reasons.
Unchecked, prostate cancer rates will double over the next 15 years. Globally, testicular cancer is the most common cancer among men aged 15-39 years of age. And across the world, one man dies by suicide every minute of every day, with males accounting for 75% of all suicides.
Mental Health & Suicide Prevention
Compared to women, men are three times more likely to die by suicide in Australia. One key element is communication. Men sometimes aren’t comfortable reaching out and opening up about life’s challenges – or they think they’ll be burdening their friends if they do.
If someone you care about seems to be going through a tough time (which many of us are in the current climate of COVID-19), they might not talk about it even if they want to. The first step in looking out for them is reaching out.
Movember provides some great tips on how you can prepare yourself for a tough conversation.
If you or someone you know needs help immediately, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467. If life is in danger call 000.
Prostate Cancer
1 in 6 Aussie men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. Prostate cancer in Australia is among the most commonly diagnosed in men. Around the world, more than 1.3 million men are given the diagnosis of prostate cancer every year.
Early detection is key. If you’re 50, you should be talking to your doctor about PSA testing – a simple routine blood test. If you’re of African or Caribbean descent, you need to start that conversation at 45. And if you have a brother or father with prostate cancer in their history, do it at 45.
Testicular Cancer
Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in young Australian men.
At greater than 95%, the odds of survival for men with testicular cancer are better than good – but for some men, long-term treatment-related side effects, mean quality of life is severely compromised.
Men with undescended testes at birth, or who have a family history, like a father or brother who has had testicular cancer, are at an increased risk. And if you’ve had testicular cancer before, there’s also a heightened risk it could return.
If you think you are at increased risk, talk to your GP.
To find out more about Movember or make a donation, visit their website.
