PUT DOWN THAT RAZOR; IT'S MOVEMBER!

Continuing into November with “Awareness” the facial hair growth happening around us isn't just a coincidence! This 'rugged' look reminds us of Men’s Health issues in which male breastcancer should be added to the list! During November each year, “Movember” is responsible for the emergent mustache,  beard, etc. on thousands of men’s faces in the US and around the world to bring awareness and funds for men’s health issues. Most of the funding is for the promotion and awareness of Prostate and Testicular Cancers as well as men’s mental health however this is another way we can help spread the awareness for Male Breast Cancer!

Since its humble beginnings in Melbourne, Australia, Movember has grown to become a truly global movement inspiring more than 1.9 Million “Mo Bros and Mo Sistas” to participate with formal campaigns in Australia, New Zealand, the US, Canada, the UK, South Africa, Ireland, Finland, the Netherlands, Spain, Denmark, Norway, Belgium and the Czech Republic. No matter the country or city, Movember will continue to work to change established habits and attitudes men have about their health, to educate men about the health risks they face, and to act on that knowledge, thereby increasing the chances of early detection, diagnosis and effective treatment.

Movember works to change and improve the habits and attitudes men have about their health in addition to educating them about their health risk; education like the recent findings related to the benefits of men taking a multi vitamin daily being diagnosed with 8% fewer cancers.   Without education, we cannot act on the knowledge and especially regarding Male Breast Cancer as most men are not aware they can be diagnosed with this disease, unlike Prostate and Testicular cancers.

In 2008 Harvey was diagnosed with Male Breast Cancer!

Male Breast Cancer Does Exist!  “I’m living Proof, which is better than being dying proof!”

About 13 years earlier his sister Vicki and our mother Libby were diagnosed with Breast Cancer first. After 3 breast cancer diagnosis along with genetic testing, although Harvey knew he could be at a higher risk for some of the ‘male’ cancers, he didn’t take breast cancer seriously. “I’m a guy; I don’t have to worry about that!” In 2009 Harvey was diagnosed with breast cancer.

FACTS:

·         This year it is projected that over 2,240 new cases of male breast cancer will be diagnosed and over 400 men will die from the disease.

·         50% of the worlds BRCA (breast cancersusceptibility gene) carriers are male and there is an increased risk from 1% closer to 6% of a diagnosis as a male if a carrier of the BRCA gene

·         Percentage fatality rate is often higher for men diagnosed with breast cancer as usually no one is checking, men don’t notice the symptoms, men are not aware they can be diagnosed with breast cancer and are not screened on a regular basis with the current insurance regulations

·         Breast Cancer doesn’t just affect sisters and daughter’s, breast cancer affects sons and brothers

·         Male breast cancer treatment consist of mastectomy due to limited amount of tissue and often followed with some or all; radiation therapy, chemo therapy and hormone therapy

So take that clean shaven face, or semi started facial hair and now’s your chance (excuse) to try out that mustache for a great cause!  When asked why you are “changing your look”, you can explain your cause for education, awareness and survivorship. In 2011, over 854,000 Mo Bros and Mo Sistas around the world got on board, raising $126.3 million USD.  In addition to educating others, they can also make a donation in honor of your month long growth to either Movember or directly to HIS Breast Cancer Awareness. For HIS donation information visit us on line at, http://hisbreastcancer.org/donate.html 

This month, show your face for the cause and all men's health issues.

Modah Ani- I Am Thankful

Vicki Singer Wolf, Co-Founder, Editor