Movember: what it is, how to join and the checks that actually matter

For thirty days every November, a lot of men look slightly worse on purpose. That’s Movember, and it’s one of the most effective health campaigns ever started by a couple of mates over a beer.

What Movember is

Movember began in Melbourne, Australia, in 2003, when a small group of friends decided to bring back the moustache for a month and tie it to a cause. It became a global charity that funds work on three things that hit men hardest:

• prostate cancer,
• testicular cancer,
• mental health and suicide prevention.

The moustache is the conversation starter. Someone asks “what’s that on your face?”, and you get to talk about the thing men usually don’t.

How to take part

The official ways in, all through movember.com:

1. Grow a mo. Shave on 1 November, grow through the month, get sponsored.
2. Move. Set a distance challenge for the month and get sponsored for it.
3. Host something. A quiz, a lunch, a five-a-side, anything that gets people together.
4. Donate to someone who’s doing one of the above.

Join or start a team with mates or colleagues. It makes it far more likely you’ll stick with it (and with the moustache).

The checks that matter more than the moustache

While the mo grows in, do the things it’s there to remind you of.

Know your prostate risk

Prostate cancer often has no symptoms early on. Your risk is higher if you’re over 50, if you’re Black, or if your father or brother had it. If any of those apply, ask your doctor about it, even if you feel fine. Changes in how you pee are usually not cancer, but are worth getting checked: see Peeing more at night?.

Check your testicles

Testicular cancer is most common in younger men, roughly 15 to 49, and is very treatable when it’s found early. Once a month is enough: here’s how to check in under two minutes.

Check in on your mates, and yourself

Men are much more likely than women to die by suicide. You don’t need the right words. Ask “how are you, really?”, then listen. If you’re struggling yourself, talk to someone: a friend, your doctor, or a helpline.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call your local emergency number. In the UK you can call Samaritans free on 116 123 at any time.

A note from the men’s room

Our game is set at the urinal, so in November every character grows a moustache. Share it, start the conversation, then go and book the check.