Support Movember through healthy living
You may start to see unusual and unexpected facial hair in men throughout the month of November; it’s a sign of support for Movember. The Movember Foundation’s aim is to raise awareness around 3 key areas of men’s health: prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health and suicide prevention.
Prostate cancer
- Around 1 in 8 men will get prostate cancer in the UK
- Increased risk factors: over 50, family history, black men, obesity
Testicular cancer
- Around 1 in 195 men will get testicular cancer in the UK
- Increased risk factors: being taller than average, white men, family history, fertility problems, being in their 30s
Mental health disorders
- Just over three out of four suicides are committed by men, making it the leading cause of death among men under 35.
- 12.5% of men suffer from a mental health problem
Promoting a strong sense of health and wellbeing is the motivating factor for the entire Movember Foundation, enabling more research, education and funding.
The Healthy Employee also advocates this philosophy, encouraging a balanced and healthy lifestyle. Diet plays a vital role in establishing better health, with healthy food choices enabling a stronger immune system, improved mood and greater resilience and energy. This gives you the very first defense against illness.
Many studies have shown the link between unhealthy food choices and certain diseases, including cancer and anxiety. One study showed that for every additional 4 inches on top of a healthy waistline, men would increase their risk of developing prostate cancer by an additional 13%. The World Cancer Research Fund has stated that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables has a protective effect and may reduce the risk of certain cancers.
Recognizing the signs and symptoms of any of these diseases is essential, but adopting a healthy, balanced lifestyle will go a long way in reducing your risk of disease.
Please see the links below for a more detailed overview of the diseases mentioned in this article:
Signs, symptoms, advice and support for: