Movember: Men’s Health Awareness and Prostate Care

Too many men avoid talking about their health, skip checkups, and face worse outcomes because of it. Bringing up Movember with the men in your life and sharing simple facts can help them get screened earlier and live longer, healthier lives. You can shape how men's health is seen.

What is Movember?

Movember is a yearly campaign where men grow mustaches to raise awareness and funding for prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health and suicide prevention. The word combines the Australian-English slang "mo" for mustache and "November." The Movember Foundation funds research and programs aimed at improving early detection, diagnosis, and treatment.

The foundation encourages men, often called "Mo Bros," to get annual checkups, know their family history, and adopt healthier habits. Since its founding, Movember has raised hundreds of millions and funded more than a thousand projects across many countries.

What is prostate cancer?

The prostate is a small gland below the bladder that helps produce seminal fluid. Prostate cancer develops in that gland. It is one of the most common cancers in men, and in many countries it is the second-leading cause of cancer death among men.

Prostate cancer often grows slowly, so symptoms can take years to appear. Early detection improves the chance of successful treatment.

Symptoms of prostate cancer

Symptoms may not show until the prostate presses on the urethra. Possible signs include:

• Increased need to urinate
• Straining to urinate
• Sensation that the bladder is not fully empty
• Loss of appetite or weight loss
• Blood in the urine (hematuria)
• Pain in the upper thighs, hips, or lower back
• Painful ejaculation

Prostate cancer versus testicular cancer

Prostate cancer

Prostate cancer forms in the prostate, a walnut-sized gland that helps make semen. It mainly affects older men, with an average diagnosis age near 65. Early-stage prostate cancer that is confined to the prostate has better treatment outcomes. The American Cancer Society suggests screening discussions start around age 50 for men without symptoms or family history, and earlier for those at higher risk.

Testicular cancer

Testicular cancer is less common, about 1% of male cancers. It more often affects younger men, typically between ages 15 and 35. Risk rises with abnormal testicular development or family history. Testicular cancer often has good outcomes when caught early.

Treatment options

Treatment depends on your age, overall health, cancer grade and stage, and personal preferences. Some prostate cancers grow so slowly that active surveillance is appropriate. Others require surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, or combinations. Talk with urologists, oncologists, or radiation specialists to compare risks and likely side effects, including urinary incontinence and sexual changes.

Consider second opinions and ask about your doctor’s experience. More experienced surgeons tend to report lower rates of long-term complications. Connect with survivors for practical insights about recovery and day-to-day life after treatment.

Living with prostate cancer

A diagnosis can be frightening and cause stress or depression. Share your concerns with family, friends, your doctor, and other men who have faced the same diagnosis. Support and clear information help you make choices that fit your life.

Natural and lifestyle strategies that may help

Research suggests some dietary and lifestyle choices might reduce prostate cancer risk or support recovery. Always review any alternative approach with your medical team.

• Vitamin D — Maintaining healthy vitamin D levels appears linked to lower prostate cancer risk; doctors often recommend supplements when levels are low.
• Omega-3 fatty acids — Found in oily fish like salmon, omega-3s may lower inflammation and have been associated with reduced aggressive prostate cancer in some studies.
• Lycopene — The antioxidant in tomatoes and watermelon has been linked to lower prostate cancer risk when consumed through whole foods, though supplement evidence is weak.
• Green tea — Large population studies show a lower risk of advanced prostate cancer among men who drink green tea regularly.
• Mind-body practices — Yoga, meditation, and massage can reduce fatigue and help pelvic floor strength, which may ease urinary or sexual side effects after treatment.

Always tell your medical team about supplements or alternative therapies to avoid interactions with cancer treatments. Lifestyle steps like improving diet, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, and quitting smoking support recovery and long-term health.

Summary

Prostate cancer is common, but most cases can be detected early and treated effectively. Regular screening and open conversations with your doctor matter. If you haven’t had a screening or you’re at higher risk, schedule a discussion with your healthcare provider.