Helping men handle hairy problems

STROKE

OVEMBER country manager Garron Gsell answers questions about Movember South Africa. Q: What is Movember South Africa and who’s behind it?

From humble beginnings in Australia in 2003, the Movember men’s health movement has grown to a truly global one, inspiring support from over five million Mo Bros and Mo Sistas in 21 countries.

In South Africa, Movember is operated by The Men’s Foundation of South Africa under licence from the International Movember Foundation.

Q: How much money does Movember South Africa raise annually? And how many people are registered with Movember South Africa?

In South Africa over the past seven years, more than 120 000 Mo Bros and Mo Sistas have supported the campaign, raising R5.6 million locally towards survivorship and research programmes.

Q: Has the cause been successful in creating awareness, and how is this gauged?

Globally and locally, Movember has generated billions of conversations around men’s health, prompting awareness of men’s health issues and raising funds for survivorship and education programmes with our health partners.

It’s always considered a success story in our office when our ops team receives notification from our community that a Mo Bro has prompted someone through their conversation to visit a doctor, and it’s resulted in them picking up a health-related issue that would have developed into something worse had it been left unattended.

Q:How is fund-raising done and what is the money used for?

We ask people to sign up on www.movember. com and then to donate to either their page or an existing page. Through various individual, team and network challenges around the country, Movember raises awareness for the often ignored issues of men’s health.

Funds raised from this year’s Movember campaign will go towards awareness and education, and to programmes presented by South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) and the Prostate Cancer Association of South Africa that meet the global objectives of the International Movember Foundation and the Men’s Foundation.

Since 2012, R22m has been given to the Cancer Association of South Africa.

These funds have been invested in a Patient Navigation Programme, Cancer Care Programme and an on-line patient support centre.

Money has also been earmarked for updating the national cancer registry.

Q: How does this compare internationally?

We’re funding over 1 200 men’s health projects around the world and counting.

Q: What are some of the men’s health issues that are tackled?

Prostate and testicular cancer, poor mental health and physical inactivity.

Q: How were these chosen? Are these four health issues some of the major issues faced by men?

Yes. The Men’s Foundation aims to positively influence the average life expectancy of South African men by creating awareness and raising funds to improve research and treatment for men’s health and erode stigmas associated with male-specific diseases, ultimately helping men to live happier, healthier, longer lives.

Q: Why should men support this cause?

It’s simple. We want men to live happier, healthier, longer lives.

Men are dying too young. Our fathers, partners, brothers and friends are facing this health crisis and it’s not being talked about. We can’t afford to stay silent. We need to talk about it. We need to act. We want men to talk when things get tough. A stroke is another common medical disease affecting millions of men and women around the globe.

World Stroke Week was observed from October 28 until November 3. What is a stroke? A stroke, which could lead to death or disability, occurs when blood flow to parts of the brain is cut off.

There are two types. The most common is the ischemic stroke, which occurs when a blood vessel supplying blood to part of the brain becomes blocked by a blood clot.

The blood clot could either form in an artery in the brain or travel to the brain through a blood vessel from another part of the body.

The second less common but more likely fatal type of stroke is the hemorrhagic stroke, which occurs when a blood vessel in the brain leaks or bursts, causing bleeding. Signs of a stroke: Think ‘FAST’:

Face – Is one side of the person’s face drooping? Ask them to smile or show their teeth. If one side is drooping, they could be having a stroke.

Arm – Can they keep their arms raised for a few seconds? If one arm drifts down or is weak, they could be having a stroke.

Speech – Ask the person to say something. If there is slurring of speech, or if they struggle to understand or repeat any sentence, they could be having a stroke.

Time – If the person experiences any of the above, call emergency services immediately. Don’t let them wait “to see if it gets better”.

Prompt and appropriate care can improve a patient’s outcome. Strokes can be reversed if treated before the affected brain tissue dies. Who is at risk? Those with hypertension, or high blood pressure, which is the leading cause of strokes (and heart attacks) in South Africa.

This means it is vital that you get your blood pressure measured regularly.

Other risk factors include diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, excessive alcohol intake, heart disease and stress. Prevention: Live a healthier lifestyle. Quit smoking. Reduce alcohol intake.

Make healthier food choices: reduce sugar and salt intake, eat more veges, pulses.

Exercise, 20-30 mins a day.

Source: ER24