Why are so many males known to sport moustaches throughout November? Movember exec explains the fad behind men's health
The month of November is well underway, and with it, a global movement to shine a spotlight on critical men's health issues. Movember, the annual campaign in November that encourages men to grow moustaches, has evolved far beyond a simple facial hair trend.
At its core, Movember is driving crucial conversations and actions to address the alarming disparities in men's physical and mental well-being. Evan Connor, senior manager of development at Movember, has been a passionate supporter of the organization for over a decade. He shares his personal connection to the cause stems from his father's own battle with prostate cancer.
"My dad really struggled to talk about what he was going through," Connor recalls. "It was my way of saying, 'Dad, I'm here with you.'" Connor's father was able to receive early treatment and has since survived, but the experience ignited Connor's commitment to Movember's mission. “It's always been an annual reminder of what my dad went through,” he admits. “As the Movember organizations evolve, my connection to it, and the fact that I am now kind of a middle-aged guy, I see our cause being quite important.”
Accordingly, stats from Statistics Canada found that in 2022, 75,854 men died before their seventy-fifth birthday; almost half (43%) of all male deaths in Canada that year were premature. Meanwhile, in 2022, nearly 3 in 4 deaths (72%) of all Canadian men were health related. The future trajectory is only set to worsen. For example, prostate cancer cases are set to double by 2040.
Given these alarming stats, this has prompted Movember to provide digital tools like their Nuts and Bolts website, an online platform that educates young men about testicular cancer and self-checking methods, and “Movember Conversations,” a guide for supporting fellow males struggling with mental health. “We’re creating these tools to meet men where they are, helping them access these resources that are widely available to them,” Connor says.
Now in its 21st year, Movember continues to address and dispel harmful misconceptions around men’s health. For example, many young men are unaware that testicular cancer is most common among males aged 15 to 40. “Testicular cancer is a young man’s disease, but awareness is low,” Connor says, emphasizing the importance of checking in the shower once a month. “Take a look, cop a feel, and make sure everything's okay.”
Prostate cancer screening is another priority, particularly for those at higher risk, including men with a family history of the disease or from African or Caribbean backgrounds. While the PSA test, a simple blood test, is a non-invasive way to screen, many men still avoid it due to outdated fears of discomfort. “Men often wait too long to take action, but early detection dramatically improves survival,” asserts Connor.
Additionally, mental health and suicide prevention have also become focal points for Movember. In Canada, seven men die by suicide every day, a global crisis that Movember tackles by promoting open dialogue.
Movember initially started as a casual conversation among friends about 1970s fashion, focusing on moustaches and their power to attract attention. However, Connor explains The organization’s founders soon noticed how conversations started every time someone asked about their moustaches, sparking an idea that the moustache could serve as a physical catalyst for important discussions on men’s health. Inspired by the power of the pink ribbon in breast cancer awareness, they shifted from a light-hearted party concept to a mission-driven organization.
“One of our founders worked in marketing for breast cancer awareness and was inspired by the unifying symbol of the pink ribbon,” Connor highlights. “He quickly realized prostate cancer was as common among men as breast cancer in women, yet it wasn’t discussed as openly. Movember became a way to change that.”
In 2004, the movement made its first official charitable contribution of $50,000 to prostate cancer research, and the initiative quickly began to gather momentum. Today, Movember has a global presence with over 6 million supporters in Canada, the U.S., and beyond, evolving to include testicular cancer and mental health as major focus areas.
Movember’s projects go beyond awareness campaigns to fund essential resources and services. One initiative Connor outlines is to increase access to prostate cancer screenings and care in rural areas, where mortality rates are often higher due to limited healthcare access. Earlier this year, the organization announced a $60 million commitment to support Indigenous men’s health worldwide, with $19 million directed to Canada alone.
“Indigenous men are twice as likely to take their own life by suicide when it comes to their physical and mental wellbeing,” Connor explains. “Our approach is to work with Indigenous communities, respecting the land and the elders before them and connecting them to their culture in a positive way.”
Movember advocates for the normalization of mental health conversations in the workplace and offers workshops on “men’s health literacy” to empower men to understand their well-being better. Connor emphasizes the importance of incorporating Movember’s initiatives into employee assistance programs and health talks, while encouraging men to take advantage of the mental health benefits available to them. Employers who partner with Movember to deliver educational sessions and awareness campaigns in the workplace can help normalize conversations about men's health and provide practical resources.
By ensuring that prostate cancer screening, testicular cancer awareness, and mental health support are covered under employee benefits plans, he believes employers can signal the importance of these issues and encourage their male employees to take action.
“We really do believe that healthier men are going to create healthier workplaces, healthier communities and healthier households, but it does start with a guy taking that action,” emphasizes Connor.
