It's Movember!

Have you noticed the increase in moustaches on men in November over the past number of years? writes Ray Kelly.

In most cases, it indicates the wearer is doing so to increase awareness of Prostate Cancer. It is a visible way to prompt conversation and spread awareness of men’s health in particular Prostate Cancer.

We all know or have had some contact with men who have been stricken by the disease. But there is hope. Prostate Cancer is one of the most treatable cancers through early diagnosis.

Since its beginnings in Melbourne, Australia, Movember has grown to become a truly global movement inspiring more than 1.1 Million Mo Bros and Mo Sistas to participate, with formal campaigns in Australia, New Zealand, the US, Canada, the UK, Finland, the Netherlands, Spain, South Africa and Ireland.

In addition, Movember is aware of Mo Bros and Mo Sistas supporting the campaign and the men’s health cause right across the globe, from Russia to Dubai, Hong Kong to Antarctica, Rio de Janeiro to Mumbai, and everywhere in between.

No matter the country or city, Movember will continue to work to change established habits and attitudes men have about their health, to educate men about the health risks they face, getting them to act on that knowledge and thereby increasing the chances of early detection, diagnosis and effective treatment.

In 2010, over 12,700 Irish Mo Bros and Mo Sistas got on board, raising €1.6 million.

Big steps have been taken towards changing attitudes and habits relating to men’s health around the world but there is still much to be done to catch up with the women’s health movement.

Via the moustache, Movember aims to fulfill its vision of having an everlasting impact on the face of men’s health, by continuing to spark conversation and spread awareness of men’s health each year.

From an Irish perspective, Movember support the Irish Cancer Society Action Prostate Cancer campaign.

Funds raised by the Movember community are allowing Action Prostate Cancer and the Irish Cancer Society to carry out a number of key programmes that are making a tangible difference to the lives of men and their families. This is hugely important when you consider Irish men have a one-in-eight chance of developing prostate cancer. Prostate cancer rates in Ireland are the highest in Europe and amongst the highest in the world.

Across Ireland, too many men are living with the consequences of prostate cancer treatment, often without adequate support and treatment. There are major issues which need to be addressed to improve services for men living after prostate cancer.

Log on to http://ie.movember.com/ for more details – browse and see what you could do to raise awareness - how about putting Kilcullen on the map through supporting this campaign.

Start growing from Tuesday Movember 1 ...


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