October has been consigned to the past and November has now given way to December. October is known as Pinktober, breast cancer awareness month, yet activities continue throughout the year to continue to raise awareness about the disease and the importance of early detection.
November is prostate cancer awareness month. It is known as Movember, because men grow out their moustaches to raise awareness about the disease. Breast cancer is known as the woman killer, and prostate cancer is the same for men. It has zero symptoms, hence the motto: “If you have no symptoms, get a checkup”.
Treatment of prostate cancer gives a high survival rate, but only if the disease is detected early. Men are notoriously bad for checking up on their health, and the fact that this cancer shows no symptoms adds to the worry.
Prostate cancer can be treated in a variety of ways, including hormone therapy to decrease levels of testosterone on which the cancer feeds, radio therapy and, at the last resort, removal of the prostate gland. However, if the cancer spreads to the bones in the pelvis, it more often than not becomes fatal.
Government whip Godfrey Farrugia recently underwent surgery to remove his prostate gland as he contracted the cancer, which in younger men, can be very aggressive. Up to a few years ago, men were only advised to get checked once they reached 50 years of age, but the disease is striking people at an ever younger age. There have been cases affecting men who are not even 40 years old. Checking for prostate cancer involves a simple blood test to look for the pathogen. It is easy to keep on top of and men should get checked at least once a year.
Dr Farrugia has done a lot to try and raise awareness, and having previously sported a goatee beard, he decided to shave it off for the month of November.
Life is such a fragile and precious thing. Ignoring health advice and waiting until it’s too late is a waste of life. Men, husbands, fathers, grandfathers, could all potentially leave this world early if they do not check for the disease. Cancer hits one in four of us at some point in our lives. Our diets and the environment we live in has resulted in cancer becoming more aggressive and hitting people at an ever younger age.
While treatment of the disease is improving and resulting in higher survival rates, the actual incidences of cancer case is outstripping the pace at which our medical technology evolves. The message cannot be repeated enough. Cancer is a killer and the only way to prevent it is to lead a healthy lifestyle. Moreover, a yearly test is not only recommended, but is essential. This publishing house prides itself on always having played an active role in raising awareness about both breast and prostate cancer. The Pink Movement seems to have taken off with a life of its own. The Mo Movement (as it is called) seems to still be lacking. We are sure that Dr Farrugia will continue to champion the cause and create more awareness about a disease which can be beaten, but only if men play their part and get tested for it.