Movember (“No Shave November”) 

At St. Charles, we do what we do in order to serve our community. For decades, we’ve been crafting stunning monuments and memorials with 23K gold leaf lettering for our Long Island community. Most importantly, our focus has always been to proceed with the utmost sensitivity, compassion and honesty. Creating permanent tributes to the legacies of loved ones that you can visit is a practice we take very seriously. However, we also want to ensure our clients, neighbors and communities are safe, healthy and aware. November is an excellent month to discuss that particular issue. Specifically, it’s an opportune time to discuss men’s health. Of course, it’s because November is also known as “Movember.”

Movember, or “No Shave November,” is an annual nationwide event in which participants allow their mustaches to grow unshaven the whole month. Basically, the purpose of this is to bring attention to and raise awareness for issues like prostate and testicular cancer.

Movember (“No Shave November”) 

So, why acknowledge this issue with such a widespread and public display of solidarity? Unfortunately, the truth is that when it comes to men’s health issues, we’re experiencing a severe disregard for the seriousness of these issues. In fact, many experts consider the health issues specific to men to be a public health crisis. As a result, men are dying much too young. In many cases, something as simple as a check-up or basic assessment could have saved their lives. On average, men die six years before women. 

Movember aims to generate interest in early cancer detection, diagnosis and effective treatments. In addition, a more long-term goal is to reduce the number of preventable deaths. Besides physicals, Movember recommends that all men become aware their family’s medical history of cancer. And, of course, embracing an overall healthier lifestyle is never a bad idea. 

Men’s Cancers 

Prostate Cancer 

Did you know that aside from skin cancer, prostate cancer affects more men than any other form? In fact, one man in seven will develop prostate cancer during his lifetime. After lung cancer, prostate cancer leads to the second highest death rate in U.S. men. Part of the male reproductive system, prostate glands sit directly below the bladder.

Around age fifty, prostate cancer screening often becomes an intrinsic step in their physical exams. However, some physicians will implement these screenings a little earlier. If their patient has a family history of prostate cancer, they’ll begin the screenings much sooner. African-American men are at a higher risk for prostate cancer. Prostate cancer screening should begin for them even earlier. 

Testicular Cancer

Not as common as prostate cancer, testicular cancer is insidious because of the number of young people it affects. Nearly 50% of all testicular cancer cases affect patients between 20 and 34. However, cancer of the testicles can develop in males of any age, from infants to elderly men. Luckily, doctors can usually spot most of these at very early stages. Any concerning anomalies should be brought to a doctor’s attention immediately. Often, the first sign is swelling or a lump on the testicles. Ultimately, if a man finds a concerning change in his testicles, he should visit his doctor as soon as possible.

What You Can Do 

• Get involved 
• Grow a mustache! 
• Donate
• Increase physical activity 
• Host an event 
• Make an appointment for a check-up 

Conclusion – St. Charles Monuments 

Ultimately, the health and safety of our community is the highest priority for us at St. Charles.  November, or “Movember,” brings nationwide attention to an issue that we don’t acknowledge enough. Therefore, the longer we go without discussing it, the more frightening and deadly it becomes. Whether you’re a man or woman, have a loved one with any of these health issues or not, you can contribute to men’s health advocacy. Simply grow a mustache this month or educate others who aren’t familiar. And you can always consult us at St. Charles Monuments for any information you might need. 

Until then – happy Movember from everyone at St. Charles Monuments!