Too many men are dying too young. Our fathers, brothers, uncles, partners, sons, nephews and friends need our help.
Movember encourages men to speak up and take action by growing moustaches to raise awareness and funds for men’s health. The movement aims to improve early detection, diagnosis, and treatments for men’s health issues such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health. Overall, it aims to reduce the number of preventable deaths. By 2030, this campaign hopes to reduce the number of men dying prematurely by 25%.
How does Movember work?
Each November, men are encouraged to participate by beginning the month with a clean-shaven face and continuing to grow their moustache for the entire month. Individuals can register as solo participants or as a team online at Movember.com.
Women are also encouraged to participate by joining in the physical activity part of the movement or by hosting a fundraising event. Move for Movember is the physical activity part of the campaign that involves running or walking 60 kilometres throughout the month to raise funds. Anyone can join Move for Movember and has the option to participate solo or in a team.
During this month, the participants deemed “Mo Bros” or “Mo Sistas”, raise funds for research. Current research is aiming to find more affordable and effective treatments for cancer and create new approaches for mental health designed to work for men. Without being directly involved, you can also donate or support a Mo Bro or Mo Sista!
Facts about Men’s Health
- Prostate cancer survival rates are better than 98% when detected early. Survival rates drop below 26% when found late.
- 1 in 9 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Men with a brother or father with prostate cancer are 2.5 times more likely to develop it.
- African or Caribbean men are 2.5 times more likely to get prostate cancer.
- A man dies by suicide every minute globally.
- Men die on average 6 years earlier than women.
Learn about the latest research on men’s health below:
1. Added sugar in sweet drinks may increase risk of prostate cancer
It is known that chronic inflammation and prostate cancer are linked. Foods with an increased amount of sugar can cause inflammation. A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition followed men consuming high levels of sugar for nine years. The study found prostate cancer development in participants. Find out if high levels of sugars from sweet drinks are a risk factor of prostate cancer here
2. Screening for prostate cancer by rectal exams not recommended in primary care
A rectal examination is a screening program used to diagnose prostate cancer early as it is one of the most common cancers in men. A physician places their finger inside the rectum to feel the prostate gland to check for any changes. Canadian researchers conducted a study on the accuracy of rectal examinations to screen for prostate cancer. This study was published in the Annals of Family Medicine. Find out if researchers recommend rectal examinations to effectively screen for prostate cancer here.
3. Repurposing ALS drugs for prostate cancer treatment
Approximately 1 in 7 men will develop prostate cancer and 1 in 29 will not survive. Researchers evaluated and examined a drug used in the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) to determine if it can be used to treat prostate cancer. Researches published the results of this study in the journal Read more about using ALS drugs to treat prostate cancer here.
4. Can omega-3 supplements benefit prostate cancer patients?
Treatment for men with a high risk of prostate cancer is typically radiation therapy or radical prostatectomy (the removal of the prostate gland). Omega-3 fatty acids have shown to be beneficial for cancer patients according to previous dietary interventions. A study published in BMC Cancer by Canadian researchers investigated the association between high doses of Omega-3 and the effect on prostate cancer proliferation, inflammation, and quality of life. Read more about the results of this study here.
5. Prostatectomy or observation: Which is better for prostate cancer patients?
Prostate cancer has several treatments including surgery, radiation therapy, hormonal therapy, and others. Active surveillance involves closely monitoring the patient without any treatment whereas; a radical prostatectomy is a surgery that removes the prostate gland. An article published in the New England Journal of Medicine evaluated which option is better for prostate cancer patients. Read more to find out if a radical prostatectomy or active surveillance is better for prostate cancer patients here.
Read about the latest prostate cancer research here.
Written by Alana Punit
References:
- Caetano, Gustavo. “Can Omega-3 Supplements Benefit Prostate Cancer Patients?”. Medical News Bulletin, 2018, https://www.medicalnewsbulletin.com/omega-3-supplements-prostate-cancer/. Accessed 8 Nov 2018.
- Fernandez, Sonia. “Added Sugar In Sweet Drinks May Increase Risk Of Prostate Cancer”. Medical News Bulletin, 2018, https://www.medicalnewsbulletin.com/added-sugar-sweet-drinks-prostate-cancer/. Accessed 8 Nov 2018.
- “How Movember Works”. Irish Cancer Society, 2018, https://www.cancer.ie/get-involved/fundraise/major-fundraising-drives/movember/how-movember-works#sthash.QxnKCcWC.dpbs. Accessed 8 Nov 2018.
- Khattar, Vinayak. “Repurposing ALS Drugs For Prostate Cancer Treatment”. Medical News Bulletin, 2018, https://www.medicalnewsbulletin.com/als-drugs-prostate-cancer-treatment/. Accessed 8 Nov 2018.
- McShane, Julie. “Screening For Prostate Cancer By Rectal Exams Not Recommended In Primary Care”. Medical News Bulletin, 2018, https://www.medicalnewsbulletin.com/screening-prostate-cancer-rectal-exams-not-recommended/. Accessed 8 Nov 2018.
- Paul, Preeti. “Prostatectomy Or Observation: Which Is Better For Prostate Cancer Patients?”. Medical News Bulletin, 2018, https://www.medicalnewsbulletin.com/prostatectomy-observation-prostate-cancer/. Accessed 8 Nov 2018.
- “The Movember Foundation”. Movember Canada, 2018, https://ca.movember.com/about/foundation. Accessed 8 Nov 2018.
