November is drawing to a close and one can’t help but notice the number of “mo’s” getting around, especially on people who might not normally sport a bit of hair on their upper lip… it can’t be a fashion revival so you definately know Movember has been in full swing.

From humble beginnings, an idea born in a Melbourne pub in 2003 that started out with 30 blokes charging $10 to grow a mo, to over 5 millions participants in 21 countries raising AU$770 million for 1200 men’s health projects by 2015, Movember has become an institute. Inspired by the moustache’s ability to generate a conversation, it was the ideal vehicle to turn the focus of that conversation to the issues of mens health.

The state of men’s health is in crisis. Men experience worse longer-term health than women and die on average six years earlier. Prostate cancer rates will double in the next 15 years. Testicular cancer rates have already doubled in the last 50. Three quarters of suicides are men. Poor mental health leads to half a million men taking their own life every year. That’s one every minute 1 in 4 men will have a mental health problem at some point in their life. 510,000 men die from suicide globally each year. That’s one every minute. 1 in 20 men who get testicular cancer will die. If prostate cancer is detected early there’s 98% chance of survival beyond 5 years Who’s at risk of prostate cancer? Your risk of developing prostate cancer increases with age, is the second most common cancer in men worldwide. Men who are of African or Caribbean descent, and men who have a family history (a brother or father with prostate cancer), are 2.5x more likely to get prostate cancer. If you’re 50, you should be talking to your doctor about PSA testing. If you’re of African or Caribbean descent, you need to start that conversation at 45. And if you have a brother or father with prostate cancer in their history, do it at 45. Source: Movember

Fitzpatricks Real Estate is always keen to take up a challenge for a good cause, with a number of staff and associates making a mo-tastic attempt to channel Groucho Marx or Chopper Read.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a Mo Bro or a Mo Sista, Movember is for everyone. I’m supporting the Movember Foundation because they’re tackling some of the most significant health issues faced by men; prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health & suicide. I’ve seen too many champion blokes battle these, this is for them and future prevention. – Josh Bett

To date, the team has raised over $2000 which will be used to go towards projects run by global men’s health partners including beyondblue and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.

There’s still time to contribute to the cause!
To support “the Stubbies” and change the face of men’s health please donate here.