Movember’s fellow organization No Shave November is run by the American Cancer Society and began in 2009. According to no-shave.org, Rebecca Hill and Bret Ringdahl wanted to start an organization where anyone, regardless of age or gender, could take part and raise awareness for testicular cancer, prostate cancer and men’s health. People participating in No Shave November donate all the money they would normally spend on shaving tools and kits for the month to the cause. While participants in No Shave November do not shave at all, participants of Movember shave everything but their mustac hes.
“This is not my first time taking part in No Shave Nove mber,” said Karl Berry, a junior majoring in exercise and sports science in his fifth year of taking part in Movember. “In high school I was one of the only guys who could really grow facial hair, so I felt obligated to do so.”
Although Berry has grown his beard out every November, he said he has never gotten checked by his doctor for testicular cancer. According to us.movember.com, there are about 8,820 new cases of testicular cancer diagnosed each year. More than 380 men are projected to die of testicular cancer this year.
Doctors typically recommend men get their prostates checked by the age of 40. One in seven men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. In 2014, more than 233,000 men are estimated to be diagnosed with prostate cancer.
“My dad just got his prostate checked, and he’s 52 years old,” Berry said. “I hate doctors so I try not to go to them. Prostate and testicular cancer does not run in my family, but I should really get everything checked out within the next year.”
Jordan Stephenson, a senior majoring in political science, said this is his first time participating in No Shave November. Stephenson said he joined the movement because he thought it would be a fun way to raise awareness for testicular and prostate cancer.
“I think men and women should do No Shave November because it’s a fun and relevant way of promoting the goal of finding a cure for testicular and prostate cancer,” Stephenson said. “If women wish to participate in it then they are more than welcome to.”
Movember and No Shave November follow Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is known for its numerous campaigns and pink ribbons. Although Berry said he likes that Movember and Breast Cancer Awareness Month are so close to one another, he wished there were more public figures speaking about men’s health.
“I feel like men’s health in general is less personified than women’s health,” he said. “I think it has to do with a man’s personality and being shy about broadcasting your problems to the world. I wish there were more men willing to speak out about it.”
