Many guys are about as likely to see the doctor voluntarily as they are to ask for directions, especially when nothing’s broken, bleeding profusely or about to fall off. But getting checkups can be a lifesaver. That’s why the men across the country are looking so hairy these days. They’re showing—make that growing—their support for men’s health issues in honor of Movember, a campaign to raise awareness of (and funds for) prostate cancer and testicular cancer. And yes, the “Mo” in Movember is for mustache.
Why would men rather snake a drain than see the doctor? “Men think taking care of themselves is a sign of weakness. It acknowledges vulnerability, and men are supposed to be tough,” says Sharecare expert David Katz, MD, director of the Prevention Research Center at Yale University School of Medicine.
Whether or not to get prostate cancer screening is a decision every man has to make for himself. There are pros (like the possibility of detecting the disease early) and cons (like the possibility of unnecessary treatment). The truth is, the jury’s out on whether or not the PSA test for prostate cancer saves lives. But before you decide to have it or skip it, read this man’s story of how the PSA test likely saved his life. And even if you opt against a PSA test, there are plenty of other reasons to get a checkup.
And while most women have a hard time getting their guy to the doctor, comedian Steve Harvey told us how his wife gets him to go: “She tells me how much the family’s dependent on me, how much she loves me, how nobody’s going to be able to live without me. That’s pretty good to know you’re needed and wanted, and that usually gets me to the doctor. If a guy thinks somebody needs him, he’ll pretty much show up. It’s part of who we are.”
Remember that the doctor will likely check for high cholesterol and high blood pressure—and that managing both conditions can help keep your manhood in working order.
Medically reviewed in December 2019.
