OSHKOSH, WI—(WISS)— Every October, pink is prominent as it is breast cancer awareness month. In November, the attention turns to men. 22 years ago, a movement began to raise awareness of men’s healthcare issues. Two friends decided to grow mustaches for the month. It became the movement we now know as “Movember.” It brings attention to men’s health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men’s mental health issues.

It’s well known that men are stubborn when it comes to health care. A Cleveland Clinic study found that 44% of men do not get a yearly physical. Many forgo regular screenings and generally avoid going to the doctor.

“Men have unique obstacles. We see that men are less likely to see their primary care physician, less likely to have their annual wellness, and really check in and make sure their health and wellness are where they need it to be,” said Dr. Andrew Maes, a urologist with the ThedaCare system.

Maes said men of all ages should make yearly visits to their doctor. But when a man hits 50, it is critical to have regular screenings for prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and colorectal cancer.

“We can not only track and trend if we find a problem early. We can easily detect and then hopefully treat that, whether it’s with surgery or radiation or some degree of intervention that not only optimizes their quality of life, and then obviously the longevity of life.”

Maes said that by visiting the doctor yearly and taking care of their health, men are showing strength.

“ Yes, getting your screening exams, you know, having the unfortunate exams that where we poke and prod in ways that no one wants to be poked and prodded, but especially that stubborn guy where they can see. The reason we’re doing that is for their overall health and wellness, so that they’re performing at their best, every day of their life,” he said.

According to the Wisconsin Cancer Reporting System (WCRS), the most frequently diagnosed cancer among Wisconsin men is prostate cancer. Prostate cancer makes up 23 percent of all new cancer diagnoses in Wisconsin men.

The premise of Movember is this. “Mo-bros” grow mustaches to bring awareness to men’s health issues. “Mo-Sisters” are encouraged to commit to running or walking 60 miles over the month. The 60 miles represent the 60 men lost to suicide every hour across the world.

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