Support the Movember initiative – grow a moustache!

JOHANNESBURG – In 2003 two Australian men sitting in a pub decided to encourage men to grow their moustaches to raise awareness of prostate cancer.

Six years later the initiative made its way to our shores and South African men have taken up the challenge to show their support to men’s health and grow their moustaches.

The Movember community has raised more than R4 648-billion to date and funded over 800 programmes in 21 countries. This work is saving and improving the lives of men affected by prostate and testicular cancer.

The Movember Foundation challenges men to grow moustaches during Movember (formerly known as November), to spark conversation and raise vital funds for its men’s health programmes. To date, four million moustaches have been grown worldwide.

The most common cancers affecting men are prostate and testicular cancer.

Prostate cancer

Prostate cancer occurs when some of the cells in the prostate reproduce quicker than normal, resulting in a tumour.

If left untreated, these cells may spread from the prostate and invade the rest of the body, particularly the lymph nodes and bones, producing more tumours in a process known as metastasis.

One of the most worrying aspects of the disease is that most prostate cancers develop without men experiencing any symptoms in the early stages.

Possible symptoms include:

* Urinary issues.

* Blood in the urine or semen.

* Reduced ability to get an erection.

* Painful ejaculation.

If you have any of the above symptoms, contact your doctor to get tested. It is important to note that these symptoms are also common in other illnesses.

Testicular cancer

Testicular cancer commonly starts off as a small hard lump, with swelling or a change in the consistency of the testicle.

Some men also experience a dull ache in the testicle or lower abdomen. In the majority of cases, only one testicle is affected.

Men, regardless of age, who find such an abnormality, should go to the doctor immediately.

Signs of testicular cancer include:

* Swelling or a lump in either testicle, which is usually painless.

* A feeling of heaviness in the scrotum.

* Change in the size and shape of the testicles.

* Aches or pain in the lower abdomen or groin.

* A sudden build-up of fluid in the scrotum.

* Pain or discomfort in a testicle or in the scrotum.

* Enlargement or tenderness of the breast tissue.