PENCIL, HORSESHOE AND WALRUS - WHAT DO THESE HAVE IN COMMON?

Robert Goulet: "I'm a prostate cancer survivor. When you or the person you love is diagnosed with cancer, the first thought is of the end, and that is our destiny, but I'm here to talk about the value of living with cancer. It's not an easy battle, but we need to believe life goes on even in the face of cancer, and life can become more full because of cancer."

The answer to the question in the title is, obviously: types of moustaches.  November, otherwise known as Movember , provides us all with an opportunity to raise awareness, to educate oneself, and (if you can find an organisation related to prostate cancer that you can support), donate to a good cause.

Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer in men (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer).  Seventy Canadian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer every day.  Eleven men - brothers, fathers, friends, lovers, sons -  will die every day this year from prostate cancer (2011 statistics). 

Here are a few basic things you can do to lower risk factors, and to raise awareness.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

1.  Have a healthy attitude about sex, and transmit this attitude to your kids.  They will be more likely to demand good screening (breast; cervical; uterine; ovarian; prostate; and if uncircumcised, penile) related to reproductive organs.   And teach your children that masturbation is a normal and healthy (although private, etc.) part of growing up.  Your sons will benefit from a lower risk of prostate cancer (citation here).

2.  Wear a light blue ribbon (colour of ribbon signifying prostate cancer awareness) in the month of November - or any month for that matter.

3.  If you are a man, insist on having a rectal exam with every yearly check-up.  (Of all the men I know, NONE of them have ever had a doctor who routinely does this.  It's not pleasant for patient or doctor, but it's over in a few seconds, and not exactly painful.)  If you are a woman, ask the men in your life if their doctors routinely do rectal exams, and if not, encourage them to demand it.

4.  If you are a man, discuss the pros and cons of testing for prostate cancer with your doctor.  Have this discussion before you are 45 if you have a brother or father who has been diagnosed with it, or if you are Black.  If not, have this discussion before you are 65.  (Citation here)

5.  Be aware of the recent links being shown between some forms of breast cancer and prostate cancer, and if biological relatives have had breast cancer, have an appropriate conversation with your doctor (Citation here).

6.  Grow a moustache, in support of prostate cancer awareness.  If you can't grow a moustache, support someone who can.