November has evolved into Movember, a globally recognized movement promoting male health awareness. The name blends “November” and the Australian slang for mustache, “Mo,” signifying its core visual identity. This annual campaign encourages men to live happier, healthier, and longer lives. The Movember Foundation focuses on raising funds and sparking conversations around three major challenges: prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men’s mental health, including suicide prevention. By encouraging open dialogue, the movement aims to reduce stigma and drive research and support programs worldwide.
The Origin and Purpose of Movember
The Movember movement began in 2003 in Melbourne, Australia, when friends Travis Garone and Luke Slattery challenged 30 acquaintances to grow a mustache for the month. Initially a lighthearted attempt to bring the mustache back into fashion, the group soon drew inspiration from a friend’s mother who was fundraising for breast cancer awareness. They decided to dedicate their challenge to men’s health, channeling the visible change in appearance into a tool for conversation.
The mustache became the official symbol of the Movember Foundation, acting as a “ribbon” for men’s health worn on the face. This visible facial hair serves as a conversation starter, allowing participants to educate others about the cause. The goal is to “change the face of men’s health” by using the Mo to generate awareness, donations, and dialogue. Since its formalization, the foundation has expanded globally, funding over 1,300 projects in more than 20 countries dedicated to accelerating progress in men’s health research and support services.
The Health Conditions Under Focus
Movember centers its awareness and funding efforts on three distinct areas of male health: prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men’s mental health, including suicide prevention. The movement is committed to reducing the number of men dying too young from preventable causes.
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men worldwide, with 1.4 million men diagnosed globally each year. For men at average risk, discussions about prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood testing and digital rectal exams (DRE) should begin around age 50. Those with a family history or of African descent should start the conversation earlier, at age 45. Early detection is paramount because the disease is nearly always treatable when found in its initial stages. The Foundation also funds specialized research, such as developing guidelines for sexual health care for prostate cancer patients.
Testicular cancer is the most common cancer affecting young men, typically striking males between the ages of 15 and 35. The five-year survival rate is over 95% when detected early, making self-examination a powerful tool for diagnosis. Although not officially recommended by all medical bodies, performing a monthly testicular self-exam is encouraged to help men become familiar with their body’s normal feel. The examination is best done during or after a warm shower, gently rolling each testicle between the fingers to feel for any painless lumps, bumps, or changes in size.
The third area of focus is men’s mental health and suicide prevention, addressing a global crisis where one man dies by suicide every minute. Societal expectations often pressure men to be stoic, creating a significant barrier to seeking help and leading to untreated mental health issues. Movember challenges this traditional masculinity by reframing vulnerability as a strength and encouraging open conversation. Men are urged to take action by reaching out to friends, normalizing therapy, and sharing their experiences to help break down the stigma.
Ways to Participate and Raise Awareness
The Movember campaign offers several ways for individuals, both men and women, to participate and contribute to the cause. The most recognizable action is to “Grow a Mo,” where men shave clean on November 1st and spend the month growing a mustache to raise funds and start conversations. This physical challenge turns the participant’s face into a walking billboard for men’s health.
For those who cannot grow a mustache, the campaign offers three other options:
Move for Movember
This challenge encourages participants to walk or run 60 kilometers over the month. This distance represents the 60 men lost to suicide globally every hour, making the activity a tangible tribute and a way to raise money for mental health programs.
Host a Mo-ment
This involves organizing a social gathering, such as a coffee morning or a gaming event, to bring people together and raise funds.
Mo Your Own Way
This option allows individuals to create a unique challenge or event, encouraging creativity while focusing on fundraising and awareness for the foundation’s core health issues.