Movember Grow a Mo Improve Wellbeing for Men's Health

It is time to raise awareness for Men’s Health this month by growing your mustache guys (women can also find other ways to participate).

Movember started in 2003 to bring back the mustache. The Movember Foundation formed in 2007. There is now a movement that has grown across the globe.

Men can sign up to grow a “Mo”, no matter how it comes in, supporting the cause by raising funds and spreading awareness of men’s health issues. Men have health issues that are causing more deaths at a young age.

If you already have a mustache, no worries, encourage others to donate for you to shave and regrow one! (Hair loss).

There are also other options to consider;

Move for Movember by either running or walking 60 miles during the month for the 60 men lost due to suicide globally each hour.

Host a Mo-ment by getting your dudes or crew together and doing something fun and easy.

Mo Your Own Way through hosting an event or coming up with your own idea.

These funds help with ground breaking health projects such as mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer. The need is to reach more men and that is where you come in.

You may strike up a challenge through work, school or church. The average is men usually die 6 years earlier than women for reasons that could have been prevented. This is the Movember mission to change by helping men live happier, healthier and longer lives.

Guys, why not kick your smoking habit or something else that is not so healthy. It doesn’t matter if it’s a grueling physical activity or that it goes the whole year just get Mo your way! The site gives plenty of ideas and tools to help.

Mental Health

There is a silent crisis that men make up more than 75% of deaths due to suicide in the U.S. Particularly high, men who live in small towns and rural areas.

This may consist of many factors. One could be the high decline with industries that are usually filled by males like manufacturing and production, (breweries have been disappearing in this area) leading to areas unemployed or under-employed.

With the economy currently many men may feel a loss in sense of pride, purpose and meaning in their life.

Higher rates have been seen in veterans, young American Indians and gay men. This may be due to perceived (or real) rejection from the community which leads to alienation and isolation.

Substance abuse. Substance use is said to be a male problem that can often end in an early death.

Studies have shown that many men will engage in substance abuse as a way to deal with stressful situations such as unemployment and divorce.

Again, substance abuse has been high among veterans and American Indians raising a need to help these specific groups.

Mental Health Services. We know men are less likely to seek the use of a mental health service for their issues compared to women. They need to get used to the idea of opening up about their feelings and expressing themselves. Instead they choose to suffer in silence making the matter worse and affecting their relationships. This is especially seen in Black, Latino and Asian men compared to white men.

Common mental health conditions:

• Depression
• Anxiety disorders
• Schizophrenia
• PTSD
• Substance abuse

Having a positive lifestyle change can significantly improve your mental wellbeing.

It is essential to; eat a balanced diet, get enough sleep, exercise or take part in physical activities, meditation or yoga to help manage stress (use your devices for apps) and limit or avoid alcohol and drugs.

Prostate Cancer

At age 50 talk to your doctor about having a PSA test. If you are African American or have a family history of prostate cancer, do this at age 45.

Your risk of prostate cancer increases with age but don’t consider it a disease only affecting older men. Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in the US and 1 in every 9 men will be diagnosed in his lifetime. African American and those having a family history are 2.5 times more likely to develop prostate cancer.

Unfortunately, prostate cancer often has no early warning signs. The disease may be silent for many years because the growing tumor is not interfering with anything that would result with pain. This is a reason to raise the importance for screening.

If you are having any problems with urinating or any discomfort this should be checked out with your doctor. Also common issues are BPH, an infection or inflammation of the prostate. A biopsy is needed to diagnose prostate cancer.

PSA Testing

It may be done with a digital rectal exam (DRE) where your doctor lubricates a gloved finger and gently inserts it into the rectum to examine the prostate for irregularities. The prostate is located just in front of the rectum. The doctor will easily be able to detect if yours is enlarged or has an irregular shape.

The PSA is a simple routine blood test. A small amount of blood is drawn from the arm to determine the PSA level. It gives a measurement of Prostate Specific Antigen concentration in the blood. This is the primary testing method. The results of the blood test should be back in 14 days.

PSA is a protein made by the prostate that is mainly found in semen and also releases small amounts into the bloodstream. With the development and growth of prostate cancer there is more PSA. However, this may happen for other reasons.

PSA that is high indicates a greater chance for prostate cancer. Your doctor will evaluate several factors including your age and ethnicity.

Taking into account:

• Prostate size
• Prostatitis-a bacterial infection causing pain where the prostate is inflamed, swollen and tender
• Benign prostatic hyperplasia-is an enlarged prostate making urination difficult
• Urinary tract infection-having a urinary tract infection (UTI) and adding irritation from a medical procedure involving the urethra or bladder may irritate the prostate making it produce more PSA.
• Prostate stimulation may occur with common activities such as a long bike ride that can temporarily cause a high PSA
• Medications; some medications are known to lower your PSA like; finasteride (Proscar or Propecia) or dutasteride (Avodent).

Testicular Cancer

Testicular cancer starts in the testicles occurring when cells grow out of control. Also called testes (single testis) is a part of the male reproductive system. The testicles contain many types of cells and each can develop into one or more types of cancer.

Knowing the type of cell where the cancer started and the type of cancer is important in determining treatment and prognosis.

Usually there is a complaint of a lump or swelling here. A physical exam is performed including palpation. A cause for concern would be any firm or hard area in the affected testis.

A scrotal ultrasound or CT scan may be ordered. The doctor can tell the kind of testicular cancer by examining the cells under a microscope.

Risk Factors for Testicle Cancer:

• An undescended testicle
• Family history of testicle cancer
• HIV infection
• Carcinoma in situ of the testicle
• Having had testicle cancer before
• Being a certain race/ethnicity
• Body size

For prevention it is suggested that men do a self-exam and check their testicles on a monthly basis after puberty (similar that women should do a self-exam of their breast). If a lump is found this should be checked out by your doctor right away.

Screenings are all about catching issues early. Make sure you are up to date with your annuals.

Please share and subscribe to email, thank you!

Header Photo smiling man by Rene Sibulangcal on Pexels

Researching Content:

https://us.movember.com  accessed 11/17/2020

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/testicular-cancer/about/what-is-testicular-cancer.html             accessed 11/17/2020