Many times when it comes to the topic of health and cancer awareness, much of the focus is placed on women. Consequently, much less attention is paid to men’s health issues. As a woman, I can appreciate the amount of attention the media and different social enterprises give towards women’s health issues. I am also a daughter and a niece to men who do not give their own health and wellness the attention it deserves. The government of Ontario has made information pertaining to prostate cancer readily available at the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, however, the men in my life seldom research health information online or seek it elsewhere.

With approximately 4,000 men in Canada dying from prostate cancer each year, I am so grateful for Movember, an annual charity initiative dedicated to bringing awareness to men’s health issues, specifically prostate cancer and mental health. Men are encouraged to grow a moustache throughout the month of November to initiate discussion about this important topic. Last year, this campaign was successful in raising $42 million. For more information about the Movember campaign, please visit www.ca.movember.com.

I believe that the simple act of growing a moustache to create more conversation about a topic directly affecting our grand-fathers, fathers, husbands and uncles is step in the right direction. I will do everything I can to encourage the men I know to visit the doctor for a physical exam. I took the liberty of visiting www.facetache.com to do “a lilttle bit mo” to support this important movement.

Carolyn supporting the Movember movement