No Shave November is an annual event held in many countries where participants grow moustaches and beards during November to raise awareness of men’s health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men’s suicide. The challenge, organized by Shanmuga Hospital Ltd and SMRFT (a nonprofit organization), encourages men to increase early cancer detection, diagnosis, and effective treatments, ultimately reducing the number of preventable deaths. Besides annual check-ups, No Shave November encourages men to be aware of their family history of cancer and to adopt a healthier lifestyle. Using facial hair as the movement’s symbol, the event focuses on prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health and suicide prevention.

Men’s Health Facts:

Life expectancy is higher in developed countries than in developing ones and higher for women than men.

• Testosterone levels can impact health, with low levels increasing the risk of myocardial infarction and high levels increasing the risk of prostatic cancer.
• Men consume more alcohol, substances, and tobacco than women, leading to higher rates of diseases like lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, and cirrhosis of the liver.
• Sedentary behavior, more common in men, is linked to chronic diseases.
• Men engage in more risky behaviors, increasing morbidity, injury, and mortality. Despite fewer suicide attempts, men have higher suicide death rates.

Stress affects men differently, with men less likely to report emotional symptoms and more likely to withdraw socially.

Common Men’s Health Issues:

• Cardiovascular: cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, heart attack, hypertension, stroke, high cholesterol.
• Respiratory: respiratory disease, COPD, lung cancer, pneumonia.
• Mental health: autism, major depressive disorder, suicide, addiction.
• Cancer: prostate, testicular, colorectal, skin cancer.
• Sexual health: HIV/AIDS, erectile dysfunction, ejaculation disorders, hypoactive sexual desire disorder.
• Other: unintentional injuries, diabetes, influenza, liver disease, kidney disease, alcohol abuse.

The Challenge:

Participants grow facial hair ( beard or mustache) for 15 days in November, taking before-and-after pictures with time stamps like newspaper dates, etc. The money saved from not shaving (Rs 100) is donated to the SMRFT trust account. Participants are given a certificate as a symbol of joining the campaign, and three winners among them receive gift vouchers. The funds collected are used to spread awareness and treat poor patients suffering from cancer. This event highlights the importance of men’s health, encouraging a healthy lifestyle and regular check-ups to prevent unnecessary deaths.