The Costa Rica News (TCRN) – If October is the month of the rose as a symbol against breast cancer, in November it’s growing a mustache and calling it “Movember” to raise awareness about prostate cancer.
This change at the eleventh month of the year comes from combining the words “mustache” and “November,” and it challenges men to grow a mustache to bring prostate cancer to the forefront, which is the second leading cause of male mortality in Costa Rica.
According to data from the National Cancer Registry, Ministry of Health, this disease was second in incidence with a rate of 50 men per 100,000 (first place went to skin cancer); and for mortality was about 15 of those (just below the stomach cancer).
In the country men over the age of 60 are more prone to this disease, but it has been found in younger age groups, already appearing in patients between 40 and 50 years old.
Why a mustache?
According to Hugo Monge, coordinator of the Movember Costa Rica movement, the point of the mustache is for those who do not usually sport facial hair to be asked about the makeover, so they disseminate information about the disease.
“Prostate cancer is the second most deadly disease for men in Costa Rica and it requires a test that makes men uncomfortable. We always say it’s better to spend a few seconds of discomfort to save the suffering of a death in the family from a treatable disease,” urged Monge.
Myths are always present
According to Monge, many myths surround this illness.
“In the patriarchal society there is a whole category of myths that were present as in AIDS: it only affects the homosexual population, it is only present in people who don’t have sex, which are myths we want to eradicate,” he said.
Another myth is that tumors can only be detected by digital rectal examination, but a blood test is also available.
“People see it as a relief; but if you feel like there might be a problem, a rectal exam is the most effective way to detect it,” said Monge.
Movember is especially aimed at young people so that they learn from an early age the importance of these tastes and eradicate these myths, since this tumor, if it is detected early, can be overcome. (Crhoy)
The Costa Rica News (TCRN)
San Jose, Costa Rica