It Is November!!

Umm ok I hear you say – yep – well done for knowing the month!!

Now fortunately for me, both Lung Cancer Awareness and Movember (aka Mens mental health, prostate and testicular cancer) both share November as their month to educate, raise funds and awareness. 

How cool is that, my two cancers share November which means I only have one month to bombard you all with harassing blogs. Talk about efficient.  

Ok Graham – hit us with it – I hear you as you take a big inward breath, readying yourselves for the ramble

What does it mean?

Well I have felt inspired after seeing some fellow ALK+ people push themselves physically to run again which is very impressive. 

Also back in 2007, my work team at the time and myself all signed up to Mo-vember. We had a great team and even our boss who had a beard for many years shaved it off and joined in. It was a lot of fun and I even won a nice sash of the best Mo (see photo above – I still have the sash!)

Am I rambling again? 

Probably so let us get back to it.

I have signed up to Movember to do 60km during the next month and grow a Mo. 

I will do this walking/jogging (I am starting walking). Each time will be a dedicated walk/run. I will use the old fitbit exercise tracking to keep me honest (so not just walking around the house). Though I will be honest, my routes will probably not contain any hills.

I am pretty sure the dog is going to be happy with me. Yes, I will take him with me when I can. 

I will grow a mo. This should not be a challenge, other than the mad scientist and the cheeky monkeys giving me a hard time about it.

I will probably again look either like a 70’s porn star or a bikie. Perhaps I can fashion a new style Mo – any ideas let me know.

So is that it?

Well not really.

The walk/run is something to motivate me to get fit and push myself. 

The mo should start chats started with people I see (who will look at me weirdly no doubt – more than normal anyway). 

I will also post a blog weekly to keep the conversation up and bring attention to these two causes. 

THE CHALLENGE FOR YOU

What The – we didn’t say we wanted to do anything!! – I hear your thoughts still!

First and foremost, my request is simple and easy.

Have a chat to the men in your life . Which Men? You know, Dads, brothers, friends, random people at the pub/park/shop/work, any male really about their health both physically and mentally. 

In the last two years, since talking openly about my own health, I have had people share their own stories. I have discovered young and old friends who have been diagnosed with testicular cancer, prostate cancer and mental health issues. I have also made new friends who share lung cancer. 

At the end of the day, these causes all have one thing in common.

The earlier you seek help, the better the outcome.

The issue is not going to fix itself, especially in the cancer space. Cancer just does not go away. So please start the conversation. 

I thought I could give you a few handy conversation starters (ok these might not work for you in a professional setting or any setting really).

Hey “name”, do you feel your balls on a regular basis? It is meant to be a good way to detect testicular cancer? (ok that one might need some work – ohh I think I am soo funny).

Hey “name”, how you coping? (leave it open, don’t ask about COVID, work, stress or anything in particular – ask a nice broad open ended question and see where it goes, it might surprise you).

Hey “name”, you ever had a PSA test and if so, do you have them regularly? (this one is about Prostate cancer, it is a blood test and not a finger test – if you know what I mean).

The last bit

If you do feel that you have some money burning a hole in your pocket, it would be awesome if you could sponsor/donate to my Movember support page or to Shine a light on Lung Cancer. 

My main thing is to get a chat started and try to encourage men to both be aware of their own bodies/minds and if they notice abnormal changes, seek professional assistance. 

End of the Ramble – more to come this month – yipeee.