Announced last week, Movember has raised and donated 2.6 million dollars to cancer awareness group Livestong. Movember is an international organization that started in 2003 to raise awareness and funds for men’s health issues, specifically cancers. Mesothelioma is one disease Movember participants speak out about. Mesothelioma is three times more common among men than it is among women, and is typically diagnosed in men between the ages of 60 and 70. In the US, mesothelioma diagnoses in men often come at the eve of retirement.
Unorthodox, but so-far successful, Movember participants raise awareness by growing moustaches in the month of November. This outward change solicits questions and initiates conversation to help educate the male population about mesothelioma and other severe health risks for men. Since their beginning, Movember has raised 180 million dollars for their cause.
Mesothelioma may be more highly associated with men than women due to its cause, toxic chemical asbestos. Much of asbestos exposure is associated with industrial and military employment—historically made up of majority male employees. However, as times changed and women entered the workforce in greater number, mesothelioma can be expected equally in men and women in years to come.
The nature of asbestos, however, leaves many options for exposure. For example, although a shipyard employee may work with asbestos components but use a respirator to protect himself, he can easily bring the toxic fibers home on his clothes, hair, or tools. In this way his loved ones and family members may still be put in harms way. Additionally, demolition, destruction and wear and tear of asbestos containing components can release asbestos fibers into the air without warning, putting the public at risk at almost anytime.
mesothelioma is characterized by a long latency period and a short life expectancy following diagnosis. Often the disease grows without signs through the affected area of lung lining or other abdominal organ lining. Decades after original asbestos exposure, in the last and most aggressive stage, mesothelioma demonstrates symptoms mimicking those of bronchitis or pneumonia. Once a diagnosis is made, patients typically expect to live between six months and just a few years longer.
Mesothelioma treatments include surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation therapies, often combined for best results. There is no cure for mesothelioma, which is why continued treatment research, like that made possibly by Movember, is so critical in the fight against this disease.
Movember and Livestrong together envision a “comprehensive, national program with local components that will help men navigate the best treatment options, support them through treatment and help their quality of life post-treatment.”