Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

Some people feel uncomfortable talking about men’s mental health and physical health. Exposing vulnerabilities can be difficult and can sometimes be seen as a sign of weakness. But by observing prostate cancer awareness month, you can normalize the discussion of these important topics.

It’s important to get educated on your health and take care of yourself. A group of Australians understood this and started a good-natured competition to raise awareness and money for men’s health.

In November of 2004, 30 men in Melbourne, Australia, agreed to grow mustaches for 30 days to highlight men’s health. Many men love competitions, games, and challenges. In Australia, a mustache is also called a “Mo,” so the group called their event Movember. Decades later, the movement is more popular than ever, and men everywhere are bonding and getting educated about their physical and mental health. Movember is also called No shave November. As the movement has spread, each locale is adapting it to the local population.

Most men will have problems with their prostate at some point in their lives. But there are preventative measures you can take right now, no matter how young or healthy you may be. It’s important to take care of yourself because people are counting on you.

Taking stock of your total health is something you should do regularly. Keep reading to find out how you can keep your prostate happy and healthy.

• What is Prostate Cancer?
• Prostate Cancer Symptoms
• November is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
• Movember and Men’s Health

What is Prostate Cancer?

The prostate is a gland that surrounds the urethra and rests just below the bladder. As men age, their odds of developing prostate cancer increases. Other risk factors like diet and exposure to certain chemicals can increase the chances that you might develop prostate cancer. Men with African ancestry are at the highest risk, while Asian and Hispanic men have the lowest chances of developing prostate cancer. That’s why it’s especially important for members of the black community to reach out to each other during Movember. Prevention and awareness are important because prostate cancer is the second-most-common cancer in the world, and it is the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths in men.

Prostate Cancer Symptoms

Why should you worry about insignificant symptoms that don’t really get in your way? It can be hard to know when you’re sick, and taking care of yourself sometimes seems inconvenient. For some people, chronic pain or other health conditions can mask what might otherwise be obvious signs of trouble. Many symptoms you can experience are mild and can be easily overlooked. It’s tempting to think that managing prostate health is trivial or a waste of time.

The symptoms of prostate cancer are easy to spot if you know what to look for. If you experience the following, please check with your doctor immediately.

1. Trouble urinating

2. Decreased force in the stream of urine

3. Blood in the urine

4. Blood in the semen

5. Bone pain

6. Losing weight without trying

7. Erectile dysfunction

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. That’s why you go to the gym and try to eat right. With some planning and regular work, you can keep your prostate healthy and improve your overall health profile.

The little things in life have a way of growing over time. Let’s make sure the bad things grow as little as possible. Your family, friends, and loved ones are counting on you to take good care of yourself. They need you, and you deserve to be happy. That’s why it’s important to protect your physical and sexual health so you can live your best possible life.

November is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

Prostate cancer causes are well known and easy to counteract. That’s why education and prevention are so important. Prostate cancer treatments are highly effective in most cases. Survival rates are good under most circumstances, and they are getting better every year. If you get checked regularly and take good care of yourself, you’re more likely to catch problems while they are small and achieve a full recovery. For most men, it’s important to get regular prostate cancer screenings once you reach the age of 55. If your family has a history of cancer, or if you experience symptoms, consider getting screened for prostate cancer earlier or more often. Ask your doctor to find out how often you should get checked. There are simple, non-invasive screening tests that can help determine your status without uncomfortable physical examinations.

There’s a light at the end of the prostate screening tunnel, too. Once you reach the age of 70, you can stop getting screened because you’re unlikely to face any substantial risks after this point.

Movember and Men’s Health

While National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month focuses on one crucial men’s health topic, Movember is about more than just your prostate. For example, for certain populations, there is a high risk of breast cancer in men. Awareness of this uncommon condition is spreading, and with education, the chance of bad outcomes goes down.

It’s important to stay on top of your holistic physical and mental health. The “tough guy” image is expanding to include a concern for mental and physical health in addition to bulking up on muscle. And there’s room for more than just “tough guys” in the health conversation. Every size, shape, and type of man deserves dignity, honor, and respect, and the foundation of a happy life is good health.

To accomplish this goal goals, we need to raise money and awareness about cancer, mental health, and the dangers of physical inactivity in men.

When is the last time you got a full medical checkup? Schedule your next physical right now, and be sure to tell your doctor about any symptoms you’ve been having. Don’t be afraid to speak up for your health.