Registration for Movember, the hairiest month of the year, has opened.<\/p>\n
From the humble but gutsy Lame Mo to the fully fledged handlebar to the rainbow-dyed upper lip auctioned off to the highest donor \u2013 moustaches are making waves for men\u2019s health.<\/p>
Marked here and around the globe for the past 13 years in 21 countries, Movember sees Mo Bros and Mo Sistas (as they are affectionately known) raise funds and awareness around the often ignored issues of men\u2019s health.<\/p>\n
\u201cProstate and testicular cancer, poor mental health and physical inactivity are some of the biggest health issues facing men today,\u201d said Garron Gsell, chief executive and founder of the Men\u2019s Foundation, which drives Movember in South Africa.<\/p>
In South Africa, there are 23 suicides daily, with over 200 attempts per day.<\/p>\n
Globally, 510 000 men die from suicide each year.<\/p>\n
That’s one every minute.<\/p>\n
On average five South African men will die from prostate cancer every day and one in 29 men has a risk of testicular cancer.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s simple.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want men to live happier, healthier, longer lives.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur fathers, partners, brothers and friends are facing this health crisis and it\u2019s not being talked about.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can\u2019t afford to stay silent.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to talk about it. We need to act.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want men to talk when things get tough,\u201d Gsell explained.<\/p>\n
Through Movember\u2019s year-round awareness and education programmes, they encourage men to become more aware of their health, talk more with their friends and become more physically active, improving their health and well-being.<\/p>\n
\u201cEarly detection is the most important factor in treating big issues.<\/p>\n
\u201cKnow your family history and if you notice something isn\u2019t feeling right, don\u2019t put it off and hope it goes away.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnnual health checks are vital, along with a monthly testicular self-examination which can help make you aware of your body and able to note any changes,\u201d said Gsell.<\/p>\n
There are three ways you can raise funds.<\/p>\n
Grow a Mo, MOVE or host and attend an event.<\/p>\n
Mo Bros are encouraged to start Movember 1 clean shaven and to grow and groom a moustache for the entire month.<\/p>\n
Mo Sistas, get behind the Mo Bros in your life, or get a little creative and organise an event.<\/p>\n
Anything to attract attention and raise funds.<\/p>\n
The best thing you can do for your health is to be physically active.<\/p>\n
Take the MOVE 30-day challenge of getting physically active for 20 to 30 minutes per day and beat your personal best.<\/p>\n
How you move is up to you.<\/p>\n
Whether it\u2019s a workout one day, a quick jog at lunchtime the next, an hour at the ping-pong table, or an epic bike ride, no MOVE is too big or small.<\/p>\n
With the money raised, Movember is funding game-changing programmes, whilst positively challenging the way in which men\u2019s health issues are researched and addressed.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re funding over 1 200 men\u2019s health projects around the world and counting.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn South Africa over the past seven years, more than 120 000 Mo Bros and Mo Sistas have supported the campaign, raising R5.6-million locally toward survivorship and research programmes.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe key thing about Movember is that we\u2019re outcomes-orientated.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re changing the dial in terms of men\u2019s lives.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are committed to reducing the number of men dying prematurely.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy 2030, we want to even the life expectancy of men and women,\u201d said Gsell.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t get left out of what has become the biggest men\u2019s health movement of our time.<\/p>\n
Help change the face of men\u2019s health.<\/p>\n
Grow a Mo. Support a Bro. Commit to MOVE or hold and attend an event.<\/p>\n
Sign up for free at www.movember.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n All past Mo Bros need to re-register.<\/p>\n For more information, download the Movember app on your mobile device.<\/p>\n Follow Movember on social media: @MovemberRSA<\/a> on Twitter or Facebook: MovemberSouthAfrica<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Other articles you may be\u00a0 interested in:<\/p>\n