No Shave November

In November, there is a movement whereby men put down their razors and grow facial hair in order to bring awareness to men’s health issues.

I have seen too many people without hair as a result of cancer treatment. I have seen this in my family and friends. I am growing hair in support of those who lose it during chemotherapy. I have embraced additional hair to participate in No Shave November. Since I put down the razor, I have personally engaged in more conversations concerning the awareness and screening of testicular and prostate cancer than I have ever imagined. The growth of facial hair is actually a fantastic conduit to a discussion about the No Shave November movement as well as cancer and heart disease awareness and prevention.

In the United States men die five years before women on the average. The two leading causes of death are heart disease and cancer.

Studies have shown that women are more health conscience than men; they are more aware of their symptoms; and they are less resistant to treatment. These all benefit earlier diagnosis. No Shave November encourages men to become more aware of their family history of cancer and heart disease and more specifically, to adhere to annual check-ups.

Men are twenty five percent less likely to visit a doctor than women. The most common cancer in men 15-34 years of age is testicular and one in eight men in the United States will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. This is the second most common cancer in men.

I personally embraced the additional hair. I participate in No Shave November because I am certain that with more awareness and more frequent check-ups, less men would die!

At the end of the month, I may decide to keep the extra facial hair. If I do, for every month that I do not shave or spend money on grooming and shaving products, I will make a good and significant donation to the Foundation which organized this movement. The money I donate is used to raise awareness of men’s health issues including programs related to prostate cancer; testicular cancer; and other men’s health issues. It is my pleasure to think of my friends and family who had been diagnosed with cancer and all of the men who have died an early death each time I look in the mirror. Stop men from dying too young.