Movember: More Than Just Growing a Mo

Movember: More Than Just Growing a Mo — It’s Time to Talk About Men’s Health

November is the month when upper lips across New Zealand suddenly become a little hairier. But while growing a moustache can be a bit of fun, Movember is really about something much more important: getting men to take their health seriously. Pharmacists see men every day who are looking after everyone else but perhaps aren’t quite as good at looking after themselves. Movember is a great opportunity to change that.The campaign focuses on four major areas of men’s health: mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer, testicular cancer and men’s overall health. So, whether you can grow a magnificent Mo, a questionable Mo or absolutely no Mo at all, here are a few things every Kiwi man should think about this November.

Don’t wait until something is seriously wrong

One of the biggest challenges in men’s health is simply getting men to talk about problems early. It’s surprisingly easy to ignore something that’s been bothering you. Maybe you’ve noticed that you’re more tired than usual, your mood hasn’t been great, you’re getting up several times during the night to urinate, or you’ve noticed a change somewhere you’d rather not discuss. The temptation can be to think, “She’ll be right.” Sometimes she will be. But sometimes a small problem can be an early warning sign of something that deserves attention. Your pharmacist can be a good first stop for many health concerns. They can have a confidential conversation with you, help you work out what might need attention and recommend whether you should see your GP or another healthcare professional.

Look after your mental health too

Men’s mental health is one of the most important issues highlighted by Movember. In Aotearoa New Zealand, Movember reports that suicide is the leading cause of death among young men aged 15–34, and that three out of four people who die by suicide are male. Those statistics are confronting, but behind every statistic is someone’s son, brother, partner, father or mate. Looking after your mental health doesn’t necessarily mean waiting until you’re in crisis. It can start with something as simple as admitting that you’re not feeling yourself. Talk to someone you trust. That might be your partner, a mate, a family member, your GP or your pharmacist. And if you’re worried about another man in your life, don’t be afraid to ask how he’s really doing. A conversation over a coffee, during a walk or while working on something together can sometimes make it easier to open up. Talking about mental health can reduce stress and help people feel supported.

Know your prostate health

As men get older, prostate health becomes increasingly important. Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in New Zealand men, and more than 4,000 New Zealand men are diagnosed each year. But here’s something important: don’t assume that every man needs a PSA test automatically. There isn’t currently a national prostate cancer screening programme in New Zealand, and routine testing isn’t recommended for every man without symptoms. If you’re between 40 and 75, it’s worth having a conversation with your healthcare provider about whether PSA testing is appropriate for you, taking your age, family history and other risk factors into account. And don’t ignore urinary changes. Problems such as a poor urine flow, difficulty starting or stopping, needing to urinate frequently or urgently, getting up repeatedly during the night, or blood in your urine should be discussed with your healthcare provider. These symptoms can have many causes, and they don’t necessarily mean prostate cancer — but they shouldn’t simply be ignored.

Know what’s normal for you

Testicular cancer is another important focus of Movember, particularly because it tends to affect younger men. Get to know what’s normal for you. Checking your testicles regularly can help you notice changes such as a new lump, swelling, change in size or shape, heaviness or persistent discomfort. Most lumps aren’t cancer, but any new or unusual lump or swelling should be checked by a healthcare professional. And if you ever develop sudden, severe testicular pain, seek urgent medical attention. It’s not embarrassing. It’s your health.

Don’t forget the basics

Men’s health isn’t just about cancer and mental health. Some of the most important things you can do are considerably less glamorous. Get your blood pressure checked. Know your cholesterol. Keep active. Eat a reasonably balanced diet. Don’t smoke. Keep alcohol within sensible limits. Get enough sleep. Maintain a healthy weight. And if you take regular medicines, make sure you understand what they’re for and how to take them correctly. Your pharmacist can help with all of these things.

Make this your Movember health check

You don’t have to grow a moustache to participate in Movember. You could grow a Mo, move for mental health, organise a fundraiser, donate — or simply use November as a reminder to have a conversation about your health. Movember’s current campaigns include growing a Mo, moving, hosting a fundraising event or creating your own challenge. But perhaps the most useful thing you can do is this: Book the appointment you’ve been putting off. Get that symptom checked. Talk to someone if you’re struggling. Ask about your prostate health. Check your testicles. Get your blood pressure measured. And if you’re not sure where to start, talk to your pharmacist.You don’t need to have all the answers before you walk through the pharmacy door. That’s what they’re there for. This Movember, let’s make the moustache more than just a moustache. Let’s use it as a conversation starter — and make men’s health impossible to ignore.