Moustache-growing to highlight male cancer
SINGAPORE – This month, men the world over will be letting their facial hair run wild for charity movement Movember.
The movement encourages men to grow moustaches throughout November to raise funds and awareness for men’s health issues, such as prostate and testicular cancer. The movement is supported here by the Singapore Cancer Society.
Figures for prostate cancer are on the rise here and according to the Singapore Cancer Registry, 3,456 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer from 2009 to 2013. This makes it the third most common cancer among men in Singapore.
This year, it has moved from being the sixth highest cause of cancer death to the fifth highest.
Dr Toh Chee Keong, senior medical oncologist at the National Cancer Centre Singapore, said: “Prostate cancer is more common as one ages. The increase in prostate cancer can be attributed to the ageing population.”
Movember Asia’s manager, Mr Greg Rafferty, 38, called moustache-growing a “catalyst” to “give men the opportunity and confidence to learn and talk about their health and take action when needed”. Movember, which was started in Melbourne in 2003, is now into its third year in Singapore.
Funds raised locally will go to the Singapore Cancer Society for awareness campaigns and aid for men living with prostate cancer.
Source: Asia One
Published: 07 Nov 2014
