Movember motivation

The month formally known as November is taken over every year by Movember - one of the biggest charities and global health campaigns in the world. It puts the spotlight on men’s health, and amongst other awareness and fundraising activities encourages men to grow moustaches – the bigger, weirder and more wonderful the better.

There are three Movember themes, after three of the main health issues facing men around the world – prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health. The campaign aims to spread the word about the symptoms and impact of each, in order help men spot issues early and get them seen to quickly.

At Bluecrest Wellness, we obviously believe prevention is always better than the cure. And it’s particularly important when it comes to men...

Bluecrest's Chief Medical Officer Dr Martin Thornton says:

We know from the GP Patient Survey that men are less likely to use primary health services than women, with nearly two thirds citing difficulties in making an appointment, or not wanting to make a fuss. But not visiting the GP when they’re showing signs of illness is affecting men’s health. It can mean male cancers like prostate cancer aren’t picked up quickly, and that men are too often left struggling alone with their mental health.

We have a job to do to help men understand that asking for help isn’t a weakness, and being getting checked out isn’t something to be fearful of. When it comes to things like prostate and testicular cancer, if you get tested earlier, you’re often able to prevent what might be coming down the track. At Bluecrest we offer assessments that are accessible, convenient and affordable. Our health MOT'S are designed to work around your life and fit into the busy lifestyle that you might have.

Bluecrest has an important role to play in empowering men to take a closer look at their health. We’re here to show you what’s going on inside your body. The good and the ‘could be better’. This means you can live life to the full, feeling confident and positive.

The three Movember health themes are three major health issues affecting men and their families. Early detection and intervention are key across the board and can make a huge difference in terms of quality of life, treatment options, and ultimately survival rates.

Here’s how that looks in numbers:

Prostate cancer

• Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men
• 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime
• More than 52,000 men are diagnosed in the UK every year
• Symptoms include needing to wee more often, especially at night, having to rush to the loo, straining or taking a long time to wee, weak flow, or blood in the urine or semen
• Caught at Stage 1 (contained within the prostate gland) almost 100% of people will survive their prostate cancer for 5 years or more after diagnosis
• At Stage 4 (where the cancer has spread to other parts of the body) only 50% of people will survive for 5 years or more.

Testicular cancer

• Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in young men
• There are around 2,400 new testicular cancer cases in the UK every year
• Symptoms include a painless swelling or lump in the testicles, a change in the shape or texture of the scrotum, an increase in firmness of a testicle, or pain that can come and go
• The earlier you catch testicular cancer the easier it is to treat, and 95% of men will survive testicular cancer for 5 or more years after a diagnosis
• If the cancer has had time to spread, for instance to the liver or brain, that can go down to 65% of men who will survive for 5 years or more.

Men’s mental health

• 3 out of 4 people who take their lives are men, making suicide the leading cause of death for men under 50 in England and Wales
• Men are less likely to access psychological therapies than women – accounting for only 36% of NHS referrals
• Men are more likely than women to go missing, sleep rough, become dependent on alcohol and use drugs to cope with their mental health issues
• 46% of men are too embarrassed or ashamed to talk about their mental health at work.

Here’s 5 things you can do for Movember:

1. Grow a Mo – and donate your sponsorship money Growing your own moustache is the classic Movember move, and the Movember website has all the tips and tools you need to set up a Mo space and start fundraising. All donations go to help raise more awareness of men’s health issues, and invest in men’s health initiatives and projects across the globe. Find out more here.

2. Mo-ve your body – and raise more money This year Movember are also encouraging people to run, walk or cycle 60km – remembering the 60 men lost to suicide around the world every hour of every day. It’s a great way to raise funds AND your fitness levels before Christmas!

3. Mo like a pro - get your workplace involved Supporting Movember at work is not only a great way to raise awareness, but a great way to bring people together. It boosts morale and health, and could be a win-win for everyone. Talk to your HR department to see if you can fundraise at work, host a Mo-ment event, or use the resource pack for intranet articles and posters you can put up to remind people of the signs and symptoms of prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and poor mental health.

4. Mo-ve your lips - start conversations Start talking about your health more openly – including the embarrassing and vulnerable bits. Suffering or worrying in silence is literally killing men, and you can be part of the solution just by normalising talking about your own health, and your own feelings.

5. Mo/Go for your Bluecrest Healthcheck If you do nothing else for Movember, book in for your annual Bluecrest Wellness health assessment. And if you’ve already been this year – shout about it, and encourage those around you to go for theirs, too! A Bluecrest health assessment can give you peace of mind. We’re here to show you what’s going on inside your body. This means you can live life to the full, feeling confident and positive. Because a healthier life is a happier life.