When most people think of November, Thanksgiving comes to mind. However, many men, have another holiday to look forward to: “Movember,” also known as “No Shave November.” While this “holiday” may seem fun and silly it actually serves a greater purpose: to spread awareness about men’s health issues including prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and suicide prevention.
So men, read on to learn about four things you should do to keep yourself healthy this, and every month. And ladies, be sure to share these tips with the men in your life and forgive them for being a little hairy this month. After all, it is for a good cause!
Schedule an appointment, even if you’re not sick
Most people hate going to the doctor, especially men. In fact, men are 70% less likely than women to seek treatment for illnesses, so it makes sense that they’d be even less likely to go for check-ups when they’re not sick.
Even if you’re feeling healthy though, it’s still important to have regular visits with your doctor. Scheduling an appointment for a general check-up or health screening is important because not every health condition has clear signs and symptoms. This is especially true for men when it comes to conditions like prostate cancer.
Joseph F. Harryhill, MD, FACS, Clinical Associate Professor of Urology in Surgery at Penn Medicine, explains, “It is very important to point out that in its early stages, prostate cancer typically does not cause any symptoms. Instead, symptoms more often relate to benign prostate enlargement. That is why it’s important for men to be checked and screened if they are at risk for prostate cancer even in the absence of any urinary difficulties.”
Eat a well-balanced diet
Beef and beer may make for nice treats every now and then, but when it comes to everyday meals, men should opt for a heart-healthy diet that is rich in nutrients that can help to control weight, lower cholesterol and help fight cancer. “Although there is no proven strategy to definitively reduce prostate cancer risk, making healthy choices with diet and exercise are an important part of men’s health and should be considered for men interested in prostate cancer prevention,” Dr. Harryhill explains.
So what does this kind of diet look like? Dr. Harryhill provides the following ground rules:
- Choose a low-fat diet.
- Opt for the leanest cuts of meat.
- Increase fruits, vegetables, and fish intake.
- Reduce dairy product consumption.
Increase your vitamin D intake
In addition to eating a well-balanced diet, men should also aim to increase their intake of vitamin D. “New findings in research have shown a correlation between lower levels of vitamin D and more aggressive prostate cancer. It is possible that the role involves an ability that vitamin D has to slow the growth of abnormal cells. Although the role of vitamin D is not yet clear in prostate cancer prevention, making sure one’s level of vitamin D is adequate (and using a supplement if necessary) is a sound recommendation,” says Dr. Harryhill.
Some foods that are known to be high in vitamin D include canned tuna, salmon, sardines, milk, eggs, yogurt, orange juice, and cereal. Or, if you prefer, you can always take a vitamin D supplement. When choosing a supplement, “National guidelines recommend a daily vitamin D intake of 600 IU for men under the age of 70,” Dr. Harryhill explains.
Grow a mustache or beard
Besides the fun of the challenge, men do it for a good cause: to raise awareness about men’s health issues such as prostate cancer. This is also a fun way for younger men to become more engaged with the issue, especially by posting progress photos on social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, and SnapChat.
While some health issues like prostate cancer tend to effect men after the age of 50, it is still very important for men to be proactive about their health at a younger age so that they can detect potential risks and issues before it is too late. “We like to encourage younger men to get a prostate cancer screening especially if there’s a strong family history of prostate cancer so that they can detect the disease in its earliest stages. The disease is most effectively treated when it is clinically localized to the prostate gland, thus emphasizing the need for early detection,” explains Dr. Harryhill.
So men, use the month of November as a time to get proactive about your health and encourage others to do the same. And ladies, don’t forget to support your man by encouraging him to follow through on his health screenings, too.