My message for ‘Movember’: Men, take care of your prostate! - Main contents

I have recently heard about ‘Movember’ which is rapidly gaining in popularity as a way of celebrating men’s health (and facial hair) during the month of November. The idea behind it is simple - men grow their moustaches and beards during the month of November to raise awareness of various cancers.

While I will only be growing a virtual moustache this month, I would like to take the opportunity to highlight a serious health issue affecting men: prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men. An estimated 1.1 million men worldwide were diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2012, accounting for 15% of the cancers diagnosed in men, with almost 70% of the cases (759 000) occurring in more developed regions. It is also the fifth leading cause of death from cancer in men (6.6% of the total men deaths). [1]

The Commission has a 30 year history in tackling cancer. The CANCON Joint Action 2014-2017, financed by the Commission’s Health Programme, aims to develop the European Guide on Quality Improvement in Comprehensive Cancer Control, addressing all cancers including cancer of the prostate.

I would like urge all men to be attentive and to speak about it with your doctor. And of course, I thank our mothers, wives, partners; sisters and daughters in advance for encouraging us to do so. #prevention

[1] Source: International Agency for Research on Cancer ( http://globocan.iarc.fr/old/FactSheets/cancers/prostate-new.asp)