What is Movember?

What started in 2003 as a joke between friends to bring back the long-gone fashion trend of the moustache, is now a worldwide organization with more than 4 million supporters, known as the « Mo Bros ». Through the power of the moustache, Mo Bros and Mo Sistas around the world have raised more than £346 million since 2003 to put focus on men’s health. But behind the funny moustache that brings smiles on people's faces, hides a very serious message. Awareness on diseases that are costing thousands of men their lives annually, in the UK alone. The visual power of the moustache sparks conversation and raises awareness on diseases such as prostate cancer, testicle cancer and men's mental health issues.

Why is it necessary to raise awareness on these diseases?
Historically, men are not as attentive to their health as women and it may take longer before they react to potential symptoms, increasing the risk for a worsening of the disease. Unfortunately men also tend to not discuss their health, limiting both advice and action. Movember seeks to remind men to take more control of their health, to be more attentive and to take preventative action. 

Some key figures:
- In 2011,  6045 people in the UK committed suicide and roughly 75% of these were men. In fact, 1 in 8 men are diagnosed with a mental disorder at some point during their life.
- Each hour a man dies from prostate cancer in the UK and as with mental disorders, 1 in 8 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point during their life.
- The incidence of testicular cancer has more than doubled since the 70's and is the most common cancer in men between the age of 25-49. In 2011, 2,200 men were diagnosed.
- In general, men have a 14% higher chance of developing cancer than women and a 37% higher risk of dying from it.

You can find more information about Movember, it's fundraising, men's health facts and much more on http://uk.movember.com/?home

If you wish to join Carenity's Movember challenge, go to the group “Fun and Games” and post your picture of an epic Mo'. The Carenity team has been creative - follow the group and see what we have come up with during Movember...

All the best,
Marina