Blue November is recognized worldwide as a month for men’s health awareness, promoting prevention, early diagnosis and promoting healthy lifestyles among men. Photo: Disclosure/Help Emergency Medical Services and Telemedicine

Did you know that the Blue November campaign has been running for 20 years? It was introduced in Australia in 2003 to raise awareness among the male population about the importance of prostate cancer prevention.

The movement was founded by the Movember Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting men’s health. The name “Movember” is a combination of the words “mo” (short for “moustache”, meaning “mustache” in English) and “November” (November in English).

The campaign’s original proposal was to encourage men to grow mustaches in November to raise awareness of men’s health issues, especially prostate cancer. Over the years, the campaign has grown and spread around the world, adopting the color blue as a symbol of the fight against the disease.

Blue November is now recognized worldwide as a month for men’s health awareness, promotion of prevention, early diagnosis and promotion of healthy lifestyles among men. The movement emphasizes the importance of regular examinations, especially digital rectal examinations, for the early detection of prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer in numbers

According to the Ministry of Health, prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer among the male population and the second cause of cancer mortality among this population in Brazil. The National Cancer Institute (INCA) estimates 71.7 thousand new cases per year in the period 2023-2025.

According to the Santa Catarina State Department of Health, there are approximately 1,700 new cases of prostate disease each year, and as of September of this year, 439 deaths have been reported as a result of the disease. With such a significant number, prevention becomes the best option as early diagnosis leads to better treatment results.

Age is a major risk factor for prostate cancer, which is more common after age 60. In addition to overweight and obesity, family history of the disease before this age must also be taken into account.

Therefore, it is very important for men to be alert to any abnormalities in the body. If they experience any changes, such as difficulty or excessive urge to urinate, blood, or decreased urine stream, they should seek help from a healthcare professional as soon as possible so they can diagnose the cancer early.

The test is done through a digital rectal examination to evaluate the size, volume, texture and shape of the prostate, as well as a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. To confirm the disease, it is also necessary to perform a biopsy – a procedure indicated if there are any changes in other tests.

Why is Blue November so important?

Blue November is not only about health checks, but also about fighting stigmas around men’s health. Many men avoid seeking help due to fear or lack of knowledge, which can lead to a delayed diagnosis. The awareness promoted by the campaign aims to demystify the process of prevention, encouraging men to take charge of their health without fear.

Additionally, prevention is key in the fight against prostate cancer. By adopting healthy habits and undergoing routine screenings, men can significantly reduce their risk of developing the disease. Regular visits to the doctor and digital rectal examination are fundamental measures to identify possible problems in the early stages, when the chances of successful treatment are higher.

It is also important to understand that prostate cancer prevention is not just about medical examinations. A healthy lifestyle is essential to keep your body functioning well. A balanced diet combined with regular physical activity can help prevent not only this disease, but many others.

How an emergency and emergency plan can help prevent

An emergency care and emergency plan, such as a Help Medical Emergency plan, can play an important role in health care management, both in prevention and in providing care during treatment. Find out how this service can help:

Telemedicine

With Help Integral, you and your family have access to telehealth services 24 hours a day. Through it, you can get medical advice, ask questions about signs and symptoms, medications, treatments, request testing and renew prescriptions.

If necessary, you can quickly call and get help from highly qualified doctors. This is critical for early diagnosis and treatment of any health problems, including potential symptoms associated with prostate cancer.

Quality service

When it comes to health, every second counts. If necessary, the patient will have access to pre-hospital care within 24 hours for urgent and emergency care on site, without the need to travel. In addition, Help has modern and well-equipped intensive care units for every type of need, which includes an electrocardiograph, cardiac enzyme meter and more than 40 medications, among other services.

Discounts on consultations and exams.

Help Integral plan members also receive up to 50% discounts on consultations and examinations at partner clinics, as well as up to 30% discounts on medications at Sesi and Panvel pharmacies.

Home care

Help also offers home care service with humane care and home remedies, providing more convenience to patients who require treatment over a period of time.

An urgency and emergency plan can be a valuable tool for raising awareness and facilitating access to care, helping to prevent various diseases, including prostate cancer. Visit the website to learn more about Help Emergency Medical plans.