No Shave November

No Shave November or Movember as many call it is rapidly approaching. Will this be the year that you participate? Before setting out on a month long quest to become a Duck-Dynasty wannabe, there are a few things you need to know.

The roots of the No Shave movement

I have learned through internet searches that the No Shave November movement began in 2009 when the 8 sons and daughters of a man who died of colon cancer did not shave in November to honor their father. The movement has quickly spread across the country.

The idea behind the movement is much more than an excuse for men (and women if they so desire) to set aside their razors and let themselves go for a month. The purpose is to raise awareness and research dollars for men’s health issues, including prostate cancer.

Starting the conversation

First and foremost, No Shave November raises awareness to men’s health issues by initiating conversation. “Hey Joe, I see you are sporting a beard this month, what’s up with that?” “Well Bob, do you realize that 300,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in America this year and 30,000 fathers, sons, and grandfathers will die from it.”

Prostate cancer is not the only health condition No Shave November raises awareness of. There are many others including but not limited to BPH, erectile dysfunction, and low testosterone. By engaging in water cooler conversations we can encourage others to see their physicians and practice recommended screening practices.

Raising awareness and research dollars

The second part of “No Shave November” is raising research dollars for men’s health issues. Those who participate in the challenge are encouraged to set aside the money he or she would normally spend on grooming products and donate that money to cancer research. For most men, this does not amount to a whole heck of a lot but when multiplied by millions it can add up in a hurry.

How to participate

Participation is easy. On the last day of October, one must be clean shaven and take a photo of their face. At the end of November, take another photo. Although there are foundations such as Us/Too and Prevent Cancer Foundation where men can officially register to participate, official registration is not a requirement. Men can advocate No Shave November on personal social media platforms if they choose to do so. The idea is to raise awareness. Many men will post updates throughout the month to show their progress and keep their page at the top of social media news feeds.

Participants can also add a donate button to the non-profit of their choice to encourage others to add to the challenge. Remember to donate all the money normally spent on grooming products to your non-profit and engage in men’s health conversations through the month. At the end of the month post the before and after pictures. Easy peasy, right?

A movement we can all join

Not everyone looks good in a beard. Many employers forbid facial hair. In some professions, such as those requiring the use of a respirator, facial hair is strictly forbidden and can actually be a safety hazard. Just because you are not allowed to have facial hair at work or you are afraid of looking like Shaggy on Scooby-Doo it does not mean you can't join in the cause. There are other ways to participate. Posting a flyer advocating No Shave November in your cubicle or at your workstation or even in the break area at work can also raise awareness and initiate conversation. The same can be said for wearing a blue ribbon, pin, or tie-tack. Even if none of these are viable options, we can all use the month of November to donate to cancer research.

I encourage all men to participate this year. Who knows, you may save a life. Together, we will one day beat this stupid disease. Happy Movember and happy growing!

Start the conversation and share your Movember plans HERE. If you’d like to share your before and after photos to spread awareness, email them to us at contact@prostatecancer.net. We’ll share them at the end of the month!