Have you started growing your “mo” yet?
Growing a moustache for Movember sounds like a fun idea, but there is a serious message behind all the hype.
Awareness of the issues is the start to "Change the Face of Men's Health" around:-
- Prostate Cancer
- Testicular Cancer
- Suicide
The Statistics are Pretty Grim. Let’s Break Them Down
1. Men are dying on average 4.5 years earlier than women.
2. Around 10.8M men globally are facing life with a prostate cancer diagnosis.
3. Testicular cancer is the most common cancer among young men.
4. One man dies by suicide every minute of every day.
5. Males account for 69% of all suicides.
6. People with fewer or weaker social connections tend to have higher death rates, for reasons that are unclear, and this tends to be men more often than women.
Prostate Cancer
- Most common cancer in men over 50
- 1 in 5 men diagnose within their lifetime
- Family history is a major factor
- Ethnic background is a known risk factor
- Risk increases with age
- Research has identified links between lifestyle and environmental factors
- There is no known prevention, only early detection!
Testicular Cancer
- Most common cancer in young men
- Family history can be a factor
- Undescended testicles increases risk
- Easy to go undetected as there are often no symptoms
- Odds of survival are good at >95%, but side effects of treatment severely compromise quality of life.
- Early detection is the key!
Suicide
- 3 in 4 suicides in Australia are men
- 6 Australian men suicide per day
- Suicide is the leading killer of men under the age of 55
What are the key risk factors?
- Spousal issues
- Legal issues
- Employment/unemployment issues
- Chronic alcohol abuse
- Chronic substance abuse
Whats the clear message from all of this information?
Men are less likely to look after their mental and physical health and see their doctor.
If you’ve ever visited a nursing home, assisted-living facility, or other seniors’ community, you may have noticed there are always more women than men.
The MOVEMBER Movement is the leading charity changing the face of men’s health.
“Our fathers, partners, brothers and friends are facing a health crisis, yet it’s rarely talked about. Men are dying too young. We can’t afford to stay silent.”
The MOVEMBER goal is to help men live happier, healthier and longer lives, through campaigns, projects and initiatives that raise awareness, generate discussion, and challenge the status quo. MOVEMBER is shaking up men’s health research and transforming the way health services reach and support men.
“We are engaging men where they are to understand what works best and accelerate change.”
It’s clear what works: prevention, early intervention and health promotion.
How To Help A Mate Doing It Tough
Would you like to have a helpful conversation with a mate who's struggling, but don't know where to start?
- Ask + Listen: Listen like a pro and help him get it off his chest.
- Build a Plan: When he's ready help him think about the actions he can take.
- Connect to Help: Check in soon to see how he's travelling and find out if he's getting help.
NEED SUPPORT?
If you're ever worried that someone's life is in immediate danger, call 000 or go directly to emergency services.
Change the face of Mens Health image above is from www.freepik.com
