Do you know why men grow mustaches in November? Similar to the Pink Ribbon campaign for breast cancer, this campaign was started to raise men’s awareness about prostate cancer and yearly screenings.
What I like so much about Movember is the way it has evolved. Started in Australia in 2003, Movember was originally a group of friends who decided to grow mustaches to raise awareness about prostate cancer and men’s struggles with depression.
The focus has expanded to include promoting physical and mental well-being among men. These include issues such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health challenges, and suicide prevention. During Movember, men are encouraged to openly discuss their health, seek support, and become proactive about creating healthier and happier lives.
One of Movember’s goals is to reduce the number of men dying from prostate cancer and suicide by 25% by 2030.
Over the years, the popularity of “Movember” has spread around the world. Since 2003, Movember has funded over 1,250 men’s health programs around the world.
The American Cancer Society estimates 333,830 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in the United States in 2026. This accounts for 15.8% of all new male cancer diagnoses. An estimated 36,320 men will die from the disease this year.
Worldwide, an estimated 1.5 million men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year. It’s the most common cancer among men over 45. If caught early, the five-year survival rate is 99%. Understand your risks. Your risk increases with age. Black men and men with African ancestry are at greater risk for developing prostate cancer. Men with a family history of prostate cancer or inherited genetic conditions such as Lynch syndrome and BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations are also at higher risk. This link will help you understand your risks and what to do, https://www.cancertherapyadvisor.com/factsheets/prostate-cancer-statistics/