What actually is Movember? 

22.11.2022

Have you ever wondered, why is that you meet more men with a moustache during the month of November? Well, here is an explanation: these guys just joined in an annual charity event called Movember.

The name Movember is a portmanteau of the word mo, as a shortcut for moustache, and November, the month in which it is held. This event is meant to raise awareness of men’s health issues like prostate or testicular cancer and men from all around the world show their participation by growing a moustache. In the UK this event takes place every year since 2007.

The very first idea of Movember came from Australia in 1999, where a group of young men grew moustaches and sold funny T-shirts, giving their profit to charity. Five years later the Movember Foundation was set.

Companies and organisations have also supported the Movember campaign in their own ways, for example the Royal Mail created a special postmark featuring a moustache.

Movember aims to increase early cancer detection, diagnosis and effective treatment, and ultimately reduce the number of preventable deaths. Besides annual check-ups, it encourages men to be aware of family history of cancer and to adopt a healthier lifestyle.

If you decide to join Movember and grow a moustache is up to you. What is more important is your health, of which you should take care well. Therefore, if you are over 50, or you have a family history of cancer, do not wait and arrange your check-up as soon as you can.

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