Protect yourself against prostate cancer this Movember
November is the month every year when an increased number of men can be seen sporting fluffy upper lips. And they’re not doing it for fun or laziness. They’re doing it to raise awareness and funds for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer as part of a campaign known as Movember.
Some 4 000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in South Africa annually, making it the most common form of cancer for South African men. Detected early, those with this form of cancer have a 98% survival rate. Have it diagnosed late and survival rates drop to about 26%.
Prostate cancer is one of the top five cancers affecting South African men, according to CANSA. The others include colorectal, Kaposi sarcoma (a type of skin cancer), lung and bladder cancer.
During Movember, men are encouraged to grow a moustache, raise money for the cause and to have their prostates checked.
“There is a lack of awareness and general knowledge about prostate cancer. Know the facts and take action early,” says Garron Gsell, chief executive and founder of the Men’s Foundation, which manages the Movember campaign in South Africa under license from the Movember Foundation.
“When it comes to their health, too many men don’t talk and don’t take action. The tragedy is that many men have died early and unnecessarily because they didn’t reach out for help when they needed it.”
Movember is the leading global men’s health charity, funding more than 1 200 projects in 21 countries around the world.
“Know your family history and if you notice something isn’t feeling right, don’t put it off and hope it goes away. Annual health checks are vital, along with a monthly testicular self-examination which can help make you aware of your body and able to note any changes,” Gsell says.
What can you do to acknowledge the importance of prostate cancer?
- Join the movement by signing up at Movember.com.
- Proudly grow a moustache each year in November.
- Challenge yourself to get more exercise and move often.
- Get together for a Movember event and be part of this community.
- Ask friends and family to support your efforts.
How does prostate cancer impact your life?
The reality is that living with prostate cancer can impact your daily life, work and relationships. Here are some of the areas where you might be affected.
Urinary problems - After going through prostate cancer treatment, it is common for many men to experience urinary problems. This is because treatment can impact the nerves and muscles that control when you urinate. Your doctor can suggest treatments and lifestyle changes which could help you manage this. This can include pelvic floor exercises and bladder retraining.
Sex and relationships - Prostate cancer and its treatment can impact your sex drive and this can negatively impact your relationship with your partner. Treatment can damage the nerves and blood supply needed for erections. There are many different treatments and support which can help with this. A very simple fix is to use sex toys – some of which can help you achieve an erection.
Fatigue - Fatigue is very common in men with prostate cancer. There are many things you can do to manage fatigue and give you more energy. Increased physical activity, intentionally planning your days and giving yourself permission to take things easy during this time are all things you can do to lessen the impact of fatigue.
Diet and exercise - A healthy diet and regular physical activity are always important, and especially so if you’ve been diagnosed with prostate cancer. A healthy lifestyle can even help manage some of the side effects of treatment for this cancer.
Emotions - It can be difficult on your emotions to live with prostate cancer. You might feel anxious, shocked, angry and frustrated, among others. It’s very normal to feel this way and you should speak to your doctor about what you’re experiencing; fortunately, the feelings should dissipate over time.
