There was a time when November was only known for family birthdays, giving thanks, eating Turkey and watching the Detroit Lions national football league team embarrass themselves.
Not now. Oh, no. It’s much, much more these days. November is now Movember. Mo, as in moustache. Since 2004, the Movember Foundation has raised awareness about men’s health issues — and as any good foundation, they also raise money. According the website www.US.Movember.com, they have raised ?$559 million to date and funded over 800 programs in 21 countries. This work is saving and improving the lives of men affected by prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health problems.?
Ever the observant one, I only heard about Movembver last year — nine years after everybody else. I think it was a radio spot with Lions and Wolverine color commentator Jim Brandstatter. I missed going Mo last year but wanted to do it this year. And, I almost missed it this year, taboot. Those who hate moustaches can thank my college roomy Larry Thompson for reminding me.
So, I started and each day on my Facebook page I am posting a picture of the ‘stache as it fills in. Woohoo!
I did not know there were actual ‘rules? for Movember. But, I saw ’em. For example, one rule stated, ‘Don’t fake it!? You had to start with a clean shaven face and then start. Also, beards and goatees are not recognized. Lastly, ‘Each Mo Bro must conduct himself like a true gentlemen.?
Not sure if I can hang 30 days with the last one, but I’ll give it a whirl.
According the Mo website, the reason for the poor state of men’s health are numerous and complex and include: Lack of awareness and understanding of the health issues men face; Men not openly discussing their health and how they’re feeling; Reluctance to take action when men don’t feel physically or mentally well; Men engaging in risky activities that threaten their health; and Stigmas surrounding mental health . . . which all sounds about right to me.
So, what did I learn from visiting the Movember website?
Did you know one in two men will, at sometime during their life, be diagnosed with some sort of cancer.
How about this? Men are 24 percent less likely than women to have visited a doctor within the past year.
Did you know that womenfolk live, on average, five years longer than their male counterparts? Yep, according to the Mo site, women make it to 81, men 76.2 years. (So, just thinking, do those extra five years of life equal the inequality in pay? Would woman trade those five years for equal pay?)
I hopped on-line and went the Federal government’s Center for Disease Control and found the following info about men’s health.
The three most common cancers among men are Prostate cancer (128.3 of 100,000 men) is first among men of all races. Second, is lung cancer (73 of ever 100,000 men). Colorectal cancer is third, with 46.1 of every 100,000 men.
The leading causes of cancer death among men are, in this order: Lung cancer, Prostate cancer, Colorectal cancer and Liver cancer.
Okay, as not to be Donny Downer, let’s do some empowering. What are you dudes to do? One, know our family’s health history. Two, move, dangit! Walk or do something for 20 to 30 minutes, three days a week. Get checked out. Don’t smoke and if you drink alcohol, do it only in moderation. Wear sunscreen, get good sleep and maybe more importantly (at least in my book) smile.
So, happy Movember!