Save a bro, grow a mo
Movember Season is officially open and its time to sign up at Movember.com to show your support.
Movember Season is officially open and its time to sign up at Movember.com to show your support.
During the month formerly known as November, Mo Bros and Mo Sistas across South Africa will be rallying to raise funds and awareness for men’s health issues, including prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention.
“We have to make a stand to stop men dying too young,” says Garron Gsell, chief executive and founder of the Men’s Foundation, which grows and grooms the Movember campaign in South Africa under licence from the Global Movember Foundation.
According to the 2014 National Cancer Registry, the lifetime risk for prostate cancer in South African men is one in 19.
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Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in young men aged 15 to 39.
Poor mental health is believed to lead to 14 men taking their own life every day locally.
The Men’s Foundation aims to reduce the number of men dying prematurely by 25 per cent by 2030.
“Men die an average six years younger than women and for reasons that are largely preventable.
“When it comes to their health, too many men don’t talk.
“Men need to have open conversations about their health and take action.
“If something doesn’t feel right, go to the doctor and get tested,” he says.
Gsell believes there is a long way to go before men are fully engaged with key issues relating to their health.
This means funding research into prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention.
It also means equipping men with the facts and information so they can take action on their health.
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“Gender is one of the strongest and most consistent predictors of health.
“For men, this is not good news.
“This has received little national, regional or global acknowledgement or attention from health policy-makers or healthcare providers.”
He says funding for men’s health in South Africa requires continued destigmatisation through media and the public at large, as well as prioritisation.
“The reality is that government funding primarily focuses on women, children and the elderly, leaving a lot to be desired for all South African men from all walks of life, and for our funding.
“We are left to rely on the private and corporate sector for help in funding our programmes.”
All funds raised will go to research and survivor programmes linked to men’s health in South Africa.
