Warriors Wear Blue

No-Shave November is a month-long movement where those participating put down their razor to start the conversation to raise awareness for men’s health and help raise funds for men’s cancer research. 

Men are less likely to take care of their health and get medical care than women. They are also less likely to seek out mental health management or counseling for mental health issues due to the stigma of being viewed as weak. Because of the perpetuation of harmful stigmas and stereotypes, men are more likely to maintain unhealthy behaviors such as excessive drinking, smoking and unhealthy eating habits.   

Get the Stats 

• • 57.6% of men (18+) met the recommended amount of physical activity guidelines for aerobic activity through leisure-time aerobic activity. 
  • 30.9% of men (18+) have five or more drinks in one day at least once, based on information available from the past year. 
  • The three leading causes of death in men are heart disease, cancer, and unintentional injury from accidents. 

 You can start now by making healthy lifestyle choices to reduce your risk for developing serious diseases like heart disease and various cancers. 

While not common, testicular cancer does happen. Every 1 in 250 men will develop testicular cancer at some point in their lifetime. Chances are low, but it is important to be proactive and educated in your health. 

Many men with testicular cancer have no known risk factors when they develop testicular cancer. However, some do have risk factors which include undescended testicles, being of white race, and a family history of testicular cancer.  

There are also signs you can look out for if you are at risk for developing cancer. If you have a combination of these signs or symptoms, you may want to consult a doctor for a test:  

• • An undescended testicle 
  • Family history of testicular cancer 
  • HIV infection 
  • Lump or swelling of the testicle 
  • Breast growth or soreness 
  • Abnormally early puberty 
  • Having had testicular cancer before 
  • Being of a certain race/ethnicity 
  • Body size 

Following a healthy lifestyle can greatly reduce your risk of developing testicular cancer. 

The “ideal” male physique is not attainable for a large number of men, despite over-representation of the hyper-masculine, muscled-man’s man archetype we see so often in popular media. 

Body image issues facing men are just as complex as those women face. The male body image struggle is more than just body shape. Men are asked to deal with hair loss, height perception, and skin care.  

Prioritizing your health can be one of the most important steps one can take on the road to self-care and maintaining healthy lifestyle habits. The following is a list of tips you can use to minimize your risk by staying healthy.  

1. Maintain regular checkups and get yearly physicals, not just when an issue arises. 
2. When an issue does arise, go see a doctor; don’t ignore what your body is telling you. 
3. Exercise regularly and keep your heart healthy and pumping by moving frequently. 
4. Avoid smoking and excessive drinking, remember everything can be enjoyed in moderation, not excess. 
5. Keep a healthy diet by making the smart decisions about food. Consult a doctor or a nutritionist if you don’t know where to get started! 
6. Know your risks and prioritize your health. By knowing your family history and your lifestyle habits, you can greatly reduce your risk!