I'm very disappointed that I've spotted only two people with moustaches this month — excluding the Bok coach, of course. It's Movember and men are supposed to be growing what their papas gave them.

Wait, before you grimace, it's actually for a good cause. Movember is a month-long moustache-growing initiative, which happens annually, to raise funds and awareness for men's health.

South Africa has recently joined this initiative. The funds raised during Movember will be donated to Cancer Awareness of South Africa and will be used to fund men's health initiatives.

The face of Cansa South Africa, Mark Pilgrim, is a testicular cancer survivor and he is promoting the Movember campaign.

"I am not growing one myself as I have on-camera obligations. Campaigns like Movember are vital in raising awareness of cancer among men, who often think they are "too tough" to talk or even think about the disease."

Pilgrim says, "Creating awareness helps those with the disease to openly talk and cope with it, and equally important is the fact that early detection of the disease can save your life."

Former Springbok player Bobby Skinstad has his hands full with his own charity organisation, but that did not stop him from lending a hand. Skinstad is taking part by growing his Mo.

He says, "The Movember initiative is a very good way of showing your support for cancer research. We all got behind it because the rally cry can at least be seen, talked about and laughed about — like Rob Louw keeps saying, celebrate life, but also celebrate the fact that people are working hard behind the scenes to make sure we can."

One of our very own participants, Howard Kahn, the former managing editor of iafrica.com said, "Most of us would've seen photos of our grandfathers, fathers, uncles or older cousins sporting some ridiculous Magnum PI-type 'tashes from the 80s."

"This is our chance to have some fun, but also – at the same time – create awareness about some very serious realities, like cancer, out there. For me, personally, it's a miracle that I have a bit of something to show above my top lip, but I will happily deal with laughing and pointing if I can just make one person aware and raise some money for some great causes in the process."

Kahn went on to say, "There is a macho stigma attached with going to the doctor – don't take a risk, rather get checked out and don't wait for a friend to get ill first before you finally visit a doctor to check out that lump or if you are feeling run-down."

Facts about men's health

According to Cansa, prostate cancer is the leading cancer among South African men. One in 23 men is at risk of developing the disease and it is most prevalent in white males. Every year 4000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer and 2500 males die from the disease.

Prostate cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the prostrate, a gland in the male reproductive system. It may cause pain, difficulty in urinating, problems during sex or erectile dysfunction, or the frequent need to urinate especially at night.

Late warning signs of prostate cancer include inability to urinate, lower back pain, blood in the urine or semen, painful ejaculation and weight loss.

Like many other cancers the cause is unknown; however, there are factors which can increase the risk of developing prostate cancer.

Lack of physical activity

Men are encouraged to examine their testicles once a month to look out for any pea-sized lumps that could indicate testicular cancer. Men over 50 years have to go for screening tests once a year.

If detected early the disease can be treated and managed successfully. Screening for prostate cancer includes a digital rectal examination done by a doctor, a urine test to check for blood and the measurement of prostatic specific antigen. Other tests include a transrectal ultrasound, cystoscopy or biopsy.

Movember is a fun way to raise health awareness. You can also make donations at www.cansa.co.za. Go on and grow your moustache in your own design and feel free to make it funky. There will be Movember Gala parties across the country where you can show off your Mo. For more details go to www.movember.co.za

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