When’s the last time you were at a dinner party and heard a man talk about prostate cancer? [probably hasn’t happened, right?] 

How about testicular cancer? [uh, very likely never!] 

How about men’s mental health issues? [it doesn’t count if it’s in response to a woman saying “all you men are crazy!”]

This month, I’m joining the “Movember” movement to change the face of men’s health. What’s that?  For 30 days in November, I’m growing a moustache to raise awareness for men’s health issues.  “Mo” is slang for moustache in Australia, where this movement started a decade ago.  Click on the video below to hear the awesome story from the founder of the Movember.  This is a worldwide movement that’s grown to $446 million in donations so far!

“Why are these ‘MoBros’ growing a scruffy lip?” you ask.  Because it gets people talking about men’s health issues. Look, it’s already working! Here are 3 things you need to know about the top men’s health issues:

1. It’s far more common than you think.  

Prostate Cancer 

        - 1 in 6 American men will be diagnosed in their lifetime.

        - That’s 660 diagnosed every day.

Testicular Cancer

        - 1 in 250 American men will be diagnosed in their lifetime.

        - It’s the most common cancer in men between 15 and 35.

        - Every hour of every day someone hears “You have Testicular Cancer.”

Mental Health

- 6,000,000 American men (7%) are diagnosed with depression every year.

- Depression is one of the most common types of mental illness. 

2. There are real implications to these health issues.

Every 15 minutes an American man dies from prostate cancer. 

Every day an American dies from testicular cancer.

Mental Health:

- 4 times more men commit suicide than women.

        **Depressed men may become more irritable, angry, hostile, aggressive or abusive. 

        **They’ll often engage in risky activities: drunk driving, risky sexual encounters, or abusing alcohol/drugs. 

3. Men don’t seek preventive treatment. But should.

Men utilize half as many preventive care visits as women. 

7 million American men haven’t seen a doctor in over 10 years. (P.S. an annual physical is probably covered on your medical plan so go for it!)

Prostate Cancer: 

- If detected and treated early, prostate cancer treatment has a 97% success rate.

- Your doctor will check for this during a physical exam.

Testicular Cancer:

- This is very treatable with a high (95%) cure rate if treated early.

- A self-exam is the key. If you feel a lump or a change – see your doctor.

Mental Health:

- Only 1 in 8 men suffering from mental illness actually seek help.

- Mental illness is a serious thing. Getting connected with the right kind of health professional will be the way to get specific treatments. It may seem obvious (but we don’t do it) – talk about your feelings, stresses or concerns with a doctor, family member, friend, religious leader, or an anonymous person on a support line.

My father-in-law had prostate cancer 3 years ago – it was at Stage 3 by the time it was diagnosed. He didn’t go for annual physicals.  He’s blessed to be healed today, but says "it would have been easier if I was getting it checked every year!" 

At freshbenies, we donate a portion of proceeds every month to charity. This month, our giving will go to Movember.

If you’re a man or you know one, then get involved. Be a Mo-Bro. Or a Mo-Sista. Give a couple bucks. Join me by clicking here in changing the face of men’s health.

Here I am 6 days into the month...stay tuned!