On average, Australian men are expected to live 4.2 years less than their female counterparts, dying from largely avoidable complications. Movember raises awareness for men’s health issues, supporting men to live happier, healthier lives. 

What is Movember?

Each November men are encouraged to grow out their facial hair to show their support for men’s health, ranging from mental health to male-specific cancers. Aside from growing a Mo, supporting Movember can involve moving 60km within November to remember the 60 men lost to suicide globally each hour, checking up on the men within your life or making a donation to Movember. 

Men’s health 

As part of Movember, is it important to engage with regular check ups with your GP, ensuring early stages of preventable illnesses don’t fly under the radar. Stigma around men’s health contributes to the culture of late diagnosis, making largely preventable illnesses more complicated to treat. 

Prostate cancer 

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men over 45, being relatively undetectable in the early stages. It is important for men over 45 to regularly check in with their GP, even if they feel fine. In Australia, 66 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer a day, with 24,217 Australian men diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2022. 

However, the good news about prostate cancer is when detected early, it is one of the most curable forms of cancer. Early detection is key to a good prognosis. 

Early symptoms of prostate cancer include:

• Trouble urinating 
• Pain or burning when urinating 
• Blood in the urine 
• Unexpected weight loss 

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, then we encourage you to seek further help and consider seeing one of our trusted GPs at FamilyWise Medical Practice. 

Testicular cancer 

Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in adolescent and young men. Learning how to do a self-check is important in the early detection of testicular cancer, as well as booking in with a GP whenever an unexpected lump, unusual soreness or general change occurs. 

Early symptoms of testicular cancer include: 

• Pain or discomfort of the scrotum 
• A lump or swelling in one or both testicles 
• A dull ache in the belly or groin 
• feelings of heaviness in the scrotum

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms then we encourage you to seek further help and consider seeing one of our trusted GPs at FamilyWise Medical Practice 

Mental health 

On average, one in seven Australian men will experience depression and one in five will experience anxiety within their lifetime. Men’s mental health is a serious issue with Movember aiming to look at mental health through a male lens, focusing on starting discussions to prevent the escalation of mental health issues. In Australia, men make up 75% of deaths attributed suicide, so checking in with yourself, a trusted friend/family member or your GP is crucial when feeling overwhelmed, hopeless or depressed. 

This Movember, don’t only grow out your Mo, check in with one of our GPs to make sure you are performing at your best, and ensuring your health for years to come.

Support is available:

Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636

Lifeline 13 11 14

Concerned about a close friend or family member?

Healthdirect, How to talk to men in your life about mental health  https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/blog/how-to-talk-to-the-men-in-your-life-about-mental-health 

Beyond Blue, Talking with someone you’re worried about https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/support-someone/how-to-talk-to-someone-you-re-worried-about 

Additional resources/references

• Movember  https://us.movember.com/?home 
• Beyond Blue  https://www.beyondblue.org.au/who-does-it-affect/men 
• Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia  https://www.pcfa.org.au/ 
• Cancer Council, Testicular Cancer https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/types-of-cancer/testicular-cancer 
• Healthdirect https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/ 

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