Each November, men across the world grow moustaches to spark conversations about men’s health, but what good is the conversation if it doesn’t lead to action? Movember is more than a movement; it’s a reminder. A reminder that men’s health matters, and that early detection, small lifestyle shifts, and regular check-ups can be life-saving.
Movember is a global charity event where men grow their moustaches during November to raise awareness for both mental and physical illnesses that disproportionately affect men, including prostate and testicular cancer1. This article will cover some actionable tips that you can take charge of to protect your overall health.
Get Regular Health Screenings
Early checks for prostate and testicular cancer can pick up problems when they are easiest to treat and most curable, so they should be a routine part of men’s health screening, not an afterthought. Many men’s cancers, particularly prostate and testicular, cause few or no symptoms in the early stages, which is why a mix of GP-led tests and self checks is so important.
Why Early Detection Matters
- Localised prostate cancer is often managed very effectively, and survival is significantly higher when it is found before it spreads beyond the gland. 5-year survival rates range from 83.5 - 98.5 per cent2.
- In some studies, stage 1 testicular cancer has a cure rate of up to 100 per cent when diagnosed early, especially in younger men, making prompt review of any change vital3.
Screening Tools
Common tools to assess prostate health include:
- Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test: measures PSA levels in the blood; rising or higher-than-expected levels can trigger further investigation, though the test is not perfect and can give false positives and negatives4.
- Digital rectal examination (DRE): the GP feels the prostate to check for lumps, hard areas, or asymmetry.
- If needed after PSA or DRE, prostate MRI and, where indicated, a biopsy to confirm or rule out cancer and to stage any disease found5.
There are several questions men can ask their GP about prostate checks:
- Should I have a PSA test and prostate exam based on my age, ethnicity, and family history?
- What are the potential benefits and downsides of PSA testing for me personally (overdiagnosis, further tests, treatment side effects)?
- If my PSA or exam is abnormal, what are the next steps? Will I need an MRI, repeat blood tests, or a biopsy, and how urgent is this?
Testicular cancer screening relies mainly on awareness and physical examination rather than routine imaging. Men are encouraged to:
- Perform regular self-exams, ideally monthly, to notice new lumps, swelling, heaviness, or changes in size or consistency of either testicle6.
- See a GP promptly if any change persists for more than a couple of weeks, even if it is painless, or if there is a feeling of heaviness, a dull ache, or sudden enlargement.
When discussing testicular checks, men can ask:
- Can you show me how to do a proper testicular self-exam and what warning signs to look for?
- If you find anything abnormal, what are the next steps?
- What does treatment for testicular cancer involve?
For most men, prostate and testicular assessments fit well into an annual or periodic “men’s health check” that may also cover blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes risk, and lifestyle factors.
Don’t Neglect Your Mental Health
Looking after your mental health is just as important as getting your blood pressure or prostate checked, and ignoring it can be just as dangerous over time. Many men still “soldier on” in silence, but reaching out early makes problems easier to treat and protects relationships, work, and physical health7.
Acknowledge the Stigma
Men are more likely to die by suicide and less likely to seek support, in part because of pressure to appear strong, in control, and unemotional8. Surveys show a majority of people still think there is stigma around men’s mental health, and many men admit to hiding their struggles from partners or not knowing where to turn for help9.
Make Small Lifestyle Changes That Matter
Small, consistent lifestyle changes can have a powerful impact on long-term health and cancer risk.
Get Moving More Regularly
People who are most active daily have up to a 26 per cent lower risk of developing cancer compared to those who are least active10. This benefit is visible even at lower intensities: simply increasing daily step count is linked to reduced risk of a number of cancers.
Rethink Your Diet
A diet rich in whole foods, especially fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes, can help protect against several cancers11. Conversely, processed meats and alcohol are linked to increased risk, especially for colorectal cancer. The NHS Eatwell Guide gives an outline of how to eat a healthy, balanced diet12.
Sleep Like Your Health Depends on It - Because it Does
Sleep is essential for hormonal balance, immune function, and overall well-being. Poor sleep disrupts the body’s natural rhythms, lowers melatonin (a hormone with anti-cancer properties), and increases inflammation, all of which can raise cancer risk13.
Studies show that sleeping around 5-6 hours was associated with a 29 per cent higher risk of stomach cancer in men, and an almost 50 per cent increased risk of colorectal adenoma14,15.
Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night. Establish a regular sleep schedule, limit screen time before bed, and create a relaxing bedtime routine to improve sleep quality and protect long-term health.
Know Your Risk and Take Action
Use a cancer risk calculator to get a clear picture of your personal risk factors and where to focus your efforts. Ezra’s Risk Calculator is a simple first step: answer a few questions and you’ll get tailored suggestions you can take to your GP or use to decide whether extra screening, like MRI, fits into your plan.
Back this up with yearly check‑ups, even when you feel perfectly well, so changes in things like blood pressure, blood tests, or new symptoms are picked up early rather than years down the line. Building Ezra into that routine, repeating the Risk Calculator annually and considering MRI screening where appropriate, helps turn “knowing your risk” into a regular, proactive part of looking after your long‑term health.
Summary: Take Charge This Movember
This Movember, simple, consistent actions can make a real difference to men’s health. Regular check‑ups, prostate and testicular cancer checks, and paying attention to mental wellbeing all help catch problems earlier, when they’re easier to treat and survival rates are highest.
Small lifestyle shifts like moving more, eating more whole foods and fewer processed meats, cutting back on alcohol, and protecting your sleep support hormonal balance, immune function, and long‑term cancer prevention. Using tools like Ezra’s Risk Calculator and building annual health reviews into your routine turns awareness into action, helping you stay on top of your risk and protect your health for the long haul.
If you want to be proactive about your health, why not book an Ezra MRI Scan with Spine? Our annual scan catches potential cancer earlier by leveraging AI through the screening process, making it more efficient, affordable, and faster.
Understand your risk for cancer with our 5 minute quiz.
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References
1. Movember | Changing the face of men’s health. Accessed November 21, 2025. https://uk.movember.com/
2. Kazama A, Saito T, Takeda K, et al. Achieving PSA < 0.2 ng/ml before Radiation Therapy Is a Strong Predictor of Treatment Success in Patients with High-Risk Locally Advanced Prostate Cancer. Prostate Cancer. 2019;2019:4050352. doi:10.1155/2019/4050352
3. Valsero Herguedas ME, Pascual Samaniego M, Garcia Lagarto E, Martín Martin S, Muñoz Moreno MF, Cortiñas Gonzalez JR. Testicular cancer: our experience after 10 years. Arch Esp Urol. 2012;65(4):467-475.
4. PSA test. nhs.uk. September 4, 2024. Accessed November 21, 2025. https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/psa-test/
5. Definition of digital rectal examination - NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms - NCI. February 2, 2011. Accessed November 21, 2025. https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/digital-rectal-examination
6. uk T cancer. How to check testicles for lumps. testicular cancer uk. Accessed November 21, 2025. https://www.testicularcanceruk.com/www.testicularcanceruk.com
7. Men’s mental health. Mental Health UK. Accessed November 21, 2025. https://mentalhealth-uk.org/mens-mental-health/
8. Walsh D, McCartney G, Minton J, Parkinson J, Shipton D, Whyte B. Deaths from ‘diseases of despair’ in Britain: comparing suicide, alcohol-related and drug-related mortality for birth cohorts in Scotland, England and Wales, and selected cities. J Epidemiol Community Health. 2021;75(12):1195-1201. doi:10.1136/jech-2020-216220
9. BUPA. Men’s Health Report – Bupa Wellbeing Index 2025: Lifting the Lid of Men’s Health Report. Accessed November 21, 2025. https://www.bupa.co.uk/~/media/Files/MMS/MMS-hosting/bins-18325.pdf
10. Shreves AH, Small SR, Walmsley R, et al. Amount and intensity of daily total physical activity, step count and risk of incident cancer in the UK Biobank. Br J Sports Med. 2025;59(12):839-847. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2024-109360
11. Alegria-Lertxundi I, Aguirre C, Bujanda L, et al. Food groups, diet quality and colorectal cancer risk in the Basque Country. World J Gastroenterol. 2020;26(28):4108-4125. doi:10.3748/wjg.v26.i28.4108
12. Eatwell Guide: How to eat a healthy balanced diet. NHS inform. Accessed November 21, 2025. https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/food-and-nutrition/eating-well/eatwell-guide-how-to-eat-a-healthy-balanced-diet/
13. Estirado S, Fernández-Delgado E, Viñuelas-Zahínos E, et al. Pro-Apoptotic and Anti-Migration Properties of a Thiazoline-Containing Platinum(II) Complex in MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer Cells: The Role of Melatonin as a Synergistic Agent. Antioxidants (Basel). 2022;11(10):1971. doi:10.3390/antiox11101971
14. Thompson CL, Larkin EK, Patel S, Berger NA, Redline S, Li L. Short duration of sleep increases risk of colorectal adenoma. Cancer. 2011;117(4):841-847. doi:10.1002/cncr.25507
15. Gu F, Xiao Q, Chu LW, et al. Sleep Duration and Cancer in the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study Cohort. PLoS One. 2016;11(9):e0161561. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0161561
