Movember 2023: Here are the best online resources to educate yourself about men's health

Representation Pic

It's not just November, it's Movember. Many feel that this month is the right time to talk about men's health creatively - by growing a moustache! The initiative aims to raise awareness about some of the most serious issues faced by men, including prostate and testicular cancer, and the high rate of suicide among the men. Movember has now grown into a movement for raising funds towards research into these issues, through websites and social media platforms. mid-day combs through the internet to bring you some useful online resources.

Movember.com

Named after movement itself, the website is a treasure trove of information. The website takes you through health issues, with particular focus on prostate cancer. The website has collated data like how 14 lakh men are reportedly diagnosed with this cancer every year. Articles on the website help you understand if you are in the high-risk category, taking into account your age, history, ancestry etc. The website also talks about past research, improvements in detection and risk assessment, effective treatments like targeted therapy and immunotherapy, and research into genetics and related factors that affect prostate cancer growth. Besides, there are also articles that bust myths about how prostate cancer will not end your sex-life or even how an enlarged prostate doesn't necessarily mean cancer, even though you do need to visit your doctor immediately.

Men's Health

The website focuses on heart health for men. It is a known fact that men outnumber women in terms of deaths due to heart attacks. Men's Health helps you understand what should be the first thing you do if you want to get your heart healthier, like upping your greens and stopping your smoking. The latter has great significance in the Indian context as, according to a British Medical Journal survey in March, 70 per cent of smokers in India are men. The website also has smart tricks as to how to effectively use a heart rate monitor for workouts, and what the ideal resting heart should be according to one's weight, age and height.

Movember T

We also came across a YouTube channel called movembertv, that has videos on why men hate therapy and why it is actually a good idea. Some of their episodes actually hit the nail on the head, like how men feel they will be judged for seeking therapy, or by the therapists themselves. There are also episodes with men talking about supporting their friends who are taking therapy and how it is important, and
men telling us how invaluable they found therapy once they overcame their initial hang ups.

North Cross Anytime

By the end of October, the hashtag #movemberfitnesschallenge starts popping up on Instagram to start promoting fitness challenges for men. One account that that caught our eye is North Cross Anytime, a fitness centre in Austin, Texas, which, along with fitness challenges, also accepts funds that are then donated towards research. This one has raised $120 so far this month, and is aiming for $500 to donate towards research around cancer and mental health issues in men. They also have several tutorial videos by experts centered around in various aspects of men's health.