Durban bro grows his mo to raise cancer awareness
During the month of November, millions of men around the world grow their moustaches in support of men’s health. This is no different for Lyle Purchase, a Morningside resident.
FOR the past 13 years, Morningside resident Lyle Purchase has been supporting the Movember movement by growing his moustache.
The 42-year-old, who is a network engineer at Mr Price, said he and some of his workmates have been growing their ‘staches’ to raise awareness on men’s health.
During the month of November, Movember involves growing one’s moustache to raise awareness of Men’s Health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer and men’s suicide.
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According to recent statistics, one in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime, with this cancer predicted to be the most common cancer among men in South Africa by 2030.
“I think men’s health is often viewed as a taboo subject, and many men are reluctant to discuss their mental health. We are very lucky at work as we’ve had seminars and wellness days focusing on our health. There are actually a few guys in my division growing a moustache, and while you do stand out for the month, it really is for a good cause.
“I feel it is vitally important for all men to go for regular health checkups and prioritise their mental health. There is an air of fear and ridicule because some people view it as weak to discuss your health, but I feel we need to move past that now instead of bottling it up inside. I would also encourage all men to go for a prostate exam – the method now involves drawing blood and not a rectal exam as it previously was. Like with breast cancer, the earlier you are diagnosed, the better your chances of recovery and survival are,” he said.
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Purchase, who also donned a purple Speedo last month to support the annual Daredevil Run, also, in aid of raising awareness on testicular cancer, laid out some ground rules on the growing of a tache.
“Come November, you have to be clean-shaven. You then keep a little bit of stubble on your cheeks and chin, but the focus is on growing and grooming your moustache. With 22 days of growth, I have to trim the hairs over my lip every so often,” he said.
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