Nicholas Worley hasn’t shaved for a while. The Hong Kong resident is preparing his moustache for Movember, the annual event that shines a light on men’s health issues such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention.
Cultivating a ’tash is a way to support Movember, a global movement which this year marks its 20th anniversary. Much has happened since its seeds were sown by mates downing beers at a pub in Melbourne, Australia, in 2003.
It has helped fund more than 1,300 men’s health projects globally and was the catalyst for the world’s largest prostate cancer registry network, which now has more than 200,000 men from 23 countries enrolled.
It’s also been a driving force behind the channelling of almost US$350 million into more than 600 biomedical research projects for prostate and testicular cancer.
Since incorporating mental health issues such as suicide in 2006, the movement has united experts, funded bold new approaches and embraced fresh perspectives all built around “getting men talking”.
“Mo bros”, as they are called, and their sisters, are encouraged to take action and get men talking about men’s health. It’s much needed.
Speak up, guys. We’re all hurting during Covid-19 – want to talk about it?
Speak up, guys. We’re all hurting during Covid-19 – want to talk about it?
Testicular cancer is the most common cancer among men aged 15 to 39, while more than 1.4 million men were diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2020, a number expected to increase to 2.3 million globally by 2040.
In Hong Kong, more than 30 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every month. It is the third-most common cancer in men.
