November is Movember – Beacon Medical Practice

Movember is an annual monthly event in the UK and worldwide where people grow moustaches or participate in other activities to raise money and awareness for men’s health.

The campaign focuses on prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health, and suicide prevention.

In the UK, the campaign is run in conjunction with Prostate Cancer UK.

Key focus areas in the UK

Prostate and testicular cancer: Movember funds research into these cancers and promotes education on self-examination and risk factors.
Mental health and suicide prevention: The campaign invests in initiatives focused on early intervention, education, and support. Suicide is the single biggest killer of men under 50 in the UK.
Changing health behaviours: In addition to raising funds, Movember encourages men to take an active role in their own health. This includes having conversations about mental health, staying socially connected, and regular health check-ups.

How to get involved

Individuals and teams can sign up on the UK Movember website and participate in a number of ways:

Grow a Mo: Men can shave clean on November 1st and grow a moustache for the entire month to raise funds and awareness.
Move for mental health: Participants can walk or run 60 kilometres during November. The number “60” represents the 60 men lost to suicide globally every hour.
Host a Mo-ment: This involves hosting a fundraising event, such as a coffee morning or a race night.
Mo Your Own Way: This option allows individuals to set their own unique challenge, such as quitting a bad habit or attempting a dare.
Donate: Directly supporting the cause by making a one-off or regular donation is also possible.

Impact and results

In 2024, more than 283,000 fundraisers participated in Movember in the UK.

Check yourself and get checked out

Movember encourages men in the UK to perform regular self-checks for testicular cancer, be aware of prostate cancer risks, and monitor their mental health.

Testicular cancer

Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in young men, but it is highly treatable if caught early.

How to self-check for testicular cancer:

Best time: The Movember Foundation recommends checking yourself during or after a warm shower when the scrotum is relaxed.
Method: Gently roll one testicle at a time between your thumb and fingers to feel for any abnormalities.
What to look for:
- Lumps or swelling: Feel for hard lumps or smooth rounded bumps.
- Change in size or weight: Be aware of any noticeable changes from what is normal for you.
- Heaviness or ache: Notice any persistent dull ache or feeling of heaviness.
What is normal: It is common for one testicle to be slightly larger than the other, and you will also feel a soft, tube-like structure at the back called the epididymis.

Prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK, but it primarily affects men over 50.

Symptoms: In the early stages, prostate cancer often has no symptoms. However, later signs can include changes in urination, a weaker urine flow, or blood in the urine.
Risk assessment: Movember advises men to check their risk. If you are aged 50+, or 45+ with a family history of prostate cancer or of African or Caribbean descent, you should talk to your GP about your risks.
Screening: A doctor may discuss having a Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test with you. You cannot self-check for prostate cancer.

Mental health

Movember highlights the importance of checking in on yourself and your friends. The campaign uses the ALEC model to help navigate difficult conversations with a friend who may be struggling.

The ALEC model:

Ask: “You haven’t seemed yourself lately—are you feeling OK?”.
Listen: Give them your full attention without judgement.
Encourage Action: Help them focus on simple, helpful steps like exercise or talking to a GP.
Check In: Catch up with them again soon.

Where to get help

GP: If you find anything unusual during a self-exam, or have persistent symptoms for prostate cancer, book an appointment with your GP.
Samaritans: You can call them for free on 116 123 if you are struggling with your mental health.
Movember UK: Provides resources and guides on all three health areas.

Movember is an annual monthly event in the UK and worldwide where people grow moustaches or participate in other activities to raise money and awareness for men’s health.

The campaign focuses on prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health, and suicide prevention.

In the UK, the campaign is run in conjunction with Prostate Cancer UK.

Key focus areas in the UK

Prostate and testicular cancer: Movember funds research into these cancers and promotes education on self-examination and risk factors.

Mental health and suicide prevention: The campaign invests in initiatives focused on early intervention, education, and support. Suicide is the single biggest killer of men under 50 in the UK.

Changing health behaviours: In addition to raising funds, Movember encourages men to take an active role in their own health. This includes having conversations about mental health, staying socially connected, and regular health check-ups.

How to get involved

Individuals and teams can sign up on the UK Movember website and participate in a number of ways:

Grow a Mo: Men can shave clean on November 1st and grow a moustache for the entire month to raise funds and awareness.

Move for mental health: Participants can walk or run 60 kilometres during November. The number “60” represents the 60 men lost to suicide globally every hour.

Host a Mo-ment: This involves hosting a fundraising event, such as a coffee morning or a race night.

Mo Your Own Way: This option allows individuals to set their own unique challenge, such as quitting a bad habit or attempting a dare.

Donate: Directly supporting the cause by making a one-off or regular donation is also possible.

Impact and results

In 2024, more than 283,000 fundraisers participated in Movember in the UK.

Check yourself and get checked out

Movember encourages men in the UK to perform regular self-checks for testicular cancer, be aware of prostate cancer risks, and monitor their mental health.

Testicular cancer

Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in young men, but it is highly treatable if caught early.

How to self-check for testicular cancer:

Best time: The Movember Foundation recommends checking yourself during or after a warm shower when the scrotum is relaxed.

Method: Gently roll one testicle at a time between your thumb and fingers to feel for any abnormalities.

What to look for:

Lumps or swelling: Feel for hard lumps or smooth rounded bumps.

Change in size or weight: Be aware of any noticeable changes from what is normal for you.

Heaviness or ache: Notice any persistent dull ache or feeling of heaviness.

What is normal: It is common for one testicle to be slightly larger than the other, and you will also feel a soft, tube-like structure at the back called the epididymis.

Prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK, but it primarily affects men over 50.

Symptoms: In the early stages, prostate cancer often has no symptoms. However, later signs can include changes in urination, a weaker urine flow, or blood in the urine.

Risk assessment: Movember advises men to check their risk. If you are aged 50+, or 45+ with a family history of prostate cancer or of African or Caribbean descent, you should talk to your GP about your risks.

Screening: A doctor may discuss having a Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test with you. You cannot self-check for prostate cancer.

Mental health

Movember highlights the importance of checking in on yourself and your friends. The campaign uses the ALEC model to help navigate difficult conversations with a friend who may be struggling.

The ALEC model:

Ask: “You haven’t seemed yourself lately—are you feeling OK?”.

Listen: Give them your full attention without judgement.

Encourage Action: Help them focus on simple, helpful steps like exercise or talking to a GP.

Check In: Catch up with them again soon.

Where to get help

GP: If you find anything unusual during a self-exam, or have persistent symptoms for prostate cancer, book an appointment with your GP.

Samaritans: You can call them for free on 116 123 if you are struggling with your mental health.

Movember UK: Provides resources and guides on all three health areas.

uk.movember.com

prostatecanceruk.org

samaritans.org