Movember has officially begun gentlemen, and it’s time to let your facial hair do the talking.
The month of November has, in recent years, been dedicated to men’s health and highlighting the prevention, screening and treatment of testicular and prostate cancer.
Just thinking about the Big C can send the toughest men into a darkened room to rock in the foetal position, so the Men’s Foundation has found a fun way to highlight men’s issues without making it all about the doom and gloom of a cancer diagnosis.
Movember is all about letting your Mo speak for you while you and your mates raise money for and support the quest to help your bros, with or without mos, deal with the reality of cancer – whether they have it, have had it or are supporting a friend through it.
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Cancer
The bottom line is that you need to feel yourself up and get to know your body so you recognise what is normal and what needs attention.
For most men, the ones I know at least, the thought of having a prostate exam sends them into a nervous sweat and even the least athletic among them can suddenly give Usain Bolt a run for his money.
Bolt’s record for the 100m dash, set by the Jamaican in 2009, of 9.58 seconds seems slow in comparison to the speed some of my acquaintances can reach.
But, according to Cansa, one in 2 084 men will get prostate cancer and while this number may not seem too daunting, bear in mind this is the most common cancer in men aged 15 to 39.
Like it or not gents you need to get to grips (pun intended) with your nuts so you know when it’s time to head for that all-important check-up.
If you don’t know how to check yourself, here is a rather simple, quick guide which shows you how to familiarise yourself with the twins.
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According to the Movember website: “The best thing you can do for your testicles is to give them a bit of a feel each month or so, and if something doesn’t seem right, head to the doctor.”
The gist of self-examination is to get into a warm shower and then, when the hot water relaxes you and the boys, give them a thorough feel, rolling them between your thumb and forefinger to feel for any lumps.
It’s simple, quick and doesn’t involve any coughing – well not until much later in the process and then only once self-examination and confirmation through a blood test have given your doctor cause for concern.
So man up and take that shower!
Competition time
But back to the fun of Movember …
From November 1, the Addie will once again be searching for the Best Beard in Town to showcase in our annual competition.
The rules are simple:
• The competition is open to anyone who works or lives in Springs.
• Grow a beard. It can be any shape or length, we just want to see what your follicles can do.
• If you already have a beard – now’s the time to make it shine (find out all about beard oil in next week’s edition).
• Once you think you have what it takes to impress, send a photo of yourself showing off your beard to me at samk@caxton.co.za with your name, the area you live in and your contact number.
• The competition closes at 5pm on November 30 and our readers will then have until close of business on December 7 to vote for the best beard.
• The winner will be announced in the paper of the following week.
We are still finalising the prizes and will announce details of these in due course.
However, I can tell you that the main prize is valued at R4 000.
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