Today is December 1st. We made it through November, somehow, and we find ourselves in the midst of the holiday season. Does anyone remember what’s special about November? The election? Guy Fawkes Night? Thanksgiving? Well yes to all those thing but what I’m thinking about is Movember. You know when guys cut their glorious beards into mustaches to raise awareness for prostate cancer. But did you do anything for it? I know I said I was going to and then did literally nothing.
Movember is about more than just prostate cancer. It’s also about men’s mental health, suicide prevention and testicular cancer. Did you know that? I just learned that today. Why is it that we are just finding this out now?
Mental health isn’t a very fun topic to talk about. We’re men (unless you’re a woman reading this in which case thanks for being here relay this message onto the men in your life) and we aren’t supposed to have emotions or even worse feelings.
As a man, and someone who occasionally has feelings I can certify that it is not fun at all. I have gone through a lot in my life and I won’t get into it all here but I have gone and went to a “talk doctor”. Which is a man’s way of saying therapist. I can’t describe to you how much that has helped my professional, relationships, and even my own image of myself. People who say it’s weak to see a therapist are wrong, it’s the single best thing I’ve done for myself. If you my dear reader and friend ever feel like life is too much, or that everyone and everything is against you, or you’re stuck in an endless loop of negative thoughts about yourself PLEASE go and talk to a professional. It will help so much, and you can swear and get mad or get sad and they won’t judge you. Plus they are legally obligated not to tell anyone what you say so that’s fun too!
So back to Movember and why we all missed it. I don’t have an answer to that but I can say you don’t have to wait till next November to spread awareness of prostate or testicular cancer you can do that now or any time! I’ll start, hey did you know that testicular cancer is the most common form of cancer diagnosed in young men? You do now! There’s a whole website full of info about men’s health that I’ll link to at the bottom of the blog.
We make a huge deal about breast cancer awareness month, and for good reason boobs are sweet. So let’s make a big deal about Movember next year! Men’s health is important and cancer sucks.
