Movember kicks off; beards, moustaches being grown for men's health

It is a time when awkward moustaches are acceptable.. at least for the month of November.

The month is commonly referred to as ‘Movember’ when men grow out their facial hair to create awareness for men’s health.

“A lot of people associate Movember with prostate cancer, which is great, but over the years it has changed to go beyond prostate cancer,” Adam Kletchko, Chair of Movember Regina, explained to the CJME Morning Show.

Kletchko said Movember has become the largest funder of research and programs in prostate cancer and one of the largest funders for research in testicular cancer.

The objective of this month is to promote and encourage men to get checked by a doctor.

“[Men] tend to hold in any feeling we might have, feelings of depression, anxiety. We’ll also tend to hold back on seeing the doctor for something that typically our counterparts or women might be more inclined to talk to others about it or see a doctor.”

Kletchko explained the Movember campaign is expanding to include mental health like suicide prevention.

According to movember.com, $17.5 million was raised in Canada in 2015. All proceeds raised in Canada stays in the country.

The Movember Regina 2016 Launch Party kicked off a variety of different events scheduled in the city this month. You can find the list at movember.com.