The month of November has been renamed… and there’s no going back!

Yes, Movember (formerly November) has become that time of year when the men in our lives think it’s fun and hilarious to grow moustaches. They bond over their love/hate relationships with their new hairy accessories, share grooming tips, and there’s always the competition to see who can grow the best (or worst) moustache. Whether they grow a mo worthy of Tom Selleck or a pre-pubescent boy, they wear them proudly, as they should. There will always be humour tied to this modern tradition, but behind the mo, there is a “hairy truth” that can’t be lost or forgotten – the true meaning of Movember.

The idea of Movember was born in 2003 by two Australian mates, Travis Garone and Luke Slattery, while enjoying a quiet beer at a pub (the birthplace of so many great ideas). They came up with the interesting concept to grow moustaches in order to raise funds and awareness for men’s health issues and prostate cancer. That year, they convinced 30 brave men to take on their moustache growing challenge, with the same rules that govern Movember today. Although no funds were raised during their inaugural year, things only got bigger from there…

Today, the Movember Foundation is an organization that raises money for prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men’s mental health issues. It has spread worldwide and involves participants in over 20 countries. Since 2003, over $550 million has been raised, and over 800 men’s health projects have been funded.

Just a few reasons why this cause is so important:

  1. Prostate cancer is the leading cause of death amongst Canadian men, accounting for 10% of all cancer deaths in men.
  2. 1 in 8 Canadian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in their life.
  3. Testicular cancer is the most common cancer amongst men aged 15-29.
  4. 1 in 5 Canadians will experience a mental health problem each year.

So if you’re man enough, I would encourage you to participate in Movember. If you’re not man enough (i.e. you’re a woman) I encourage you to donate to a family member or friend and do your part to spread awareness. ThirtyTwo Dental’s Dr. Bill Sharun will be growing a mo in honour of Movember. Please go to his Movember page and donate.

Dr. Jaimee Buchkowsky