Well, here we are. It’s International Men’s Day and day 19 of Movember, and if we’re honest, some of us look like sophisticated 70s detectives while others are more like teenagers attempting to defy puberty.
But terrible facial hair aside, we’re taking part in Movember for a simple, crucial reason: Men are dying too young, and it doesn’t have to be that way.
On average, men will die 4.9 years earlier than women, and the causes for this are largely preventable. We’re doing this for our friends, our family members and ourselves. We’re raising money for men’s health, but more importantly, we want to arm our colleagues (and the partners, friends, and family who love them) with the crucial facts we’ve learned from the Movember charity.
Here are the critical things every man - and the people who care about him - needs to know and act on.
1. Spotting the silent struggle: mental health
Mental health struggles affect everyone, and men are just as likely as anyone to face them, yet we’re often less likely to seek the help we need. In the Federation, we regularly see the toll of colleagues suffering in silence. We need to step up and spot the signs.
That starts with recognising changes in the behaviour of those around us. If a friend is acting out of character, avoiding social situations, going quiet in the group chat, or getting easily frustrated, that's a sign to check in.
Little changes like not sleeping, being irritable or talking about feeling hopeless can be small signs that someone needs help and reaching out might just save a life.
When you speak to them, trust your gut and don’t be afraid to ask twice if “are you feeling okay?” prompts a standard “I’m fine” response. You’re not there to judge or solve their problems, but you can encourage simple, manageable steps like eating a little better or seeing their GP. Following up with them in a few days shows you care.
2. Know your risk: prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is a big deal. It’s the most common cancer in men over 45. Risk increases with age, so start talking to your doctor about it once you’ve turned 50, or 40 if you’re Black, because your risk is higher.
Your risk is also higher if a father, brother, or uncle had prostate cancer, or if a mother or sister had breast or ovarian cancer. If you have this history, start talking to your doctor at 40.
More than 1.4 million men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year. Often, early prostate cancer causes no issues or symptoms at all, and that’s why seeing your doctor is vital, especially for those at risk. If something does need attention, taking early action can make a huge difference.
3. Know thy nuts: testicular cancer
This one is for our younger colleagues, although we should all be aware of it. Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in younger men, and while it's less common than others, it’s usually treatable when detected early.
Testicular cancer happens when cells in your testicles grow uncontrollably. Any swelling or pain, including in your lower back, is worth getting checked. The best way to spot a problem is to know what’s normal for you, and Movember advises a monthly self-check.
Movember’s five simple things
The advice for men keen to live a long and healthy life is:
Spend time with people who make you feel good.
Talk more.
Know the numbers (like the cancer facts above).
Know thy nuts.
Move more.
We might look a bit odd for the next couple of weeks, but we’re doing this because having these conversations and taking these actions is important.
Whether you’re growing a Mo with us, donating (our fundraising is here), or just committing to checking in with a friend who’s gone quiet, you’re part of the solution. Let's look out for each other.
Stuart Cowan, BTP Federation
Darren Adams, Civil Nuclear Police Federation
Liam Kelly and John Perry, Police Federation for Northern Ireland