If you have seen more men than normal with facial hair in the streets these days, that’s because November has been renamed to Movember.

To commemorate International Prostate Cancer Month men are encouraged to grow moustaches (that’s where the “Mo” comes from), beards and any other type of facial hair to increase awareness of prostate cancer, to encourage men to test for prostate cancer and to show solidarity with those who have prostrate cancer.

The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) – an organisation that works on creating awareness and educating people about cancer – says that one in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in their lives – so the earlier its detected the better.

The prostate is a gland which forms part of the male reproductive system and its function is to produce nutrients that enables sperm to swim. Prostate cancer occurs when abnormal cells multiply out of control and form a lump or tumour in the prostate gland. If left undetected, this cancer can then spread to other parts of the body.

CANSA says that Prostate Cancer is most common among men aged 50 years and older. When men reach their 40’s and 50’s the prostate glad can grow because of testerone and this squeezes the urethra, causing the slow or stopping of the flow of urine from the bladder.

Early symptoms of prostate cancer include difficulty in passing urine, a frequent need to urinate, especially at night; difficulty in starting and stopping the urinary stream.

Late warning signs include blood in the urine and a painful or burning sensation when passing urine and pain in the lower back, upper thighs or pelvic area. Men who have a family history of prostate cancer, your brother, father or uncle are in particular advised to regularly screen for prostate cancer and access treatment. .

Treatment may include hormone therapy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery. Medical practitioners can also perform digital rectal examinations to check if the prostate has lumps or is an unusual size or shape. Brothers for life is a movement that aims to get men to live healthier and more responsible lives.

Read More on Prostate Cancer: http://www.cansa.org.za/prostate-cancer/