The Lo Down: paying lip service to Movember

How it works is simple. Forget campaign ribbons, colour-themed cupcakes, or car stickers. Rather, the men who sign up to be mo-bros ‘donate’ their face and become walking advertisements for this health campaign. In this way, the hope is that they spark conservation with peers, friends, family, and even strangers on the topic of men’s health and more specifically, on the topics of prostate and testicular cancer.

The Movember effect

Statistics suggest that one in seven men will be diagnosed with prostate and/or testicular cancer by the age of 75. Research also shows that men are less likely to have annual health check-ups and disclose important medical details to their doctors, for fear of being seen as weak or vulnerable. For these reasons, a campaign that encourages men to be more aware of their health and at the same time builds a sense of brotherhood and camaraderie is to be applauded.

This said, some health advocates criticise the campaign for being ‘couch activism’ and question whether the awareness raised is enough to get men into doctors’ rooms for those crucial cancer screenings. But, counters the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA), the first step is awareness. Not to mention the fact that the funds raised each year are allocated towards men’s health survivorship and research programmes: life-improving as well as life-saving endeavours.

Ready, steady … MO!

One of the most important decisions you’ll face, as a prospective mo-bro, is the style of ‘tache’ that you’ll be sporting for the 30 days. These range in length, shape, and bushiness with a few favourites being the trucker, the connoisseur, the rock star, and the undercover agent. Or perhaps you’re hoping to cultivate something a little more home grown like the songololo or the boomslang? Styles aside, there are a few rules that you’ll need to abide by if you’re thinking of joining the Movember community. These are:

1. Each man must start the month of November with a clean shaven face.

2. For the full 30 days of November, mo-bros must grow and groom their moustaches.

3. Participants cannot join their moustache to their sideburns or to their chins (so, no full beards or goatees allowed).

4. You have to commit fully. You cannot shave off your moustache and start again once Movember has begun.

Becoming a mo-bro is not for the faint-hearted and testimony to this is the disclaimer at the bottom of the Movember campaign website: “We accept no responsibility for lost jobs, rashes, food/beer encrustments or any other such mishaps caused to the wearer (or his partner) of a Movember moustache. You grew it yourself.”

So men: to mo or not to mo; that is the question. And you only have a few more hours to make your decision. Because, come midnight, Movember madness officially starts.

Follow Leigh Crymble on Twitter (@Le1ghLo) or read her blog (Le1ghLo.com).