In order to raise money and awareness for research into men’s health issues like prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health, men around the world are encouraged to grow moustaches during Movember, a month-long movement.
Movember is based on the idea of a men-centric movement and that men should grow their moustaches and beards during this month, but many other individuals also take part in different ways.
The prostate is a walnut-shaped gland in the pelvis of men. It is right next to your bladder. It occurs in the prostate gland. This gland can be examined by getting a digital rectal exam.
The word “cancer” gives us a chill down our spine. It’s nearly impossible to put into words how much mental and physical pain a cancer patient has to endure. You must have come across various names for this disease. Even the people you admire or see smiling on screen belong on this list.
This Movember, let’s recap their journey and understand how difficult it can be for our own stars.
1. British actor: Ian McKellen
X-Men’s fame Ian McKellen is a very prominent British actor. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Gods and Monsters, the X-Men movies, and many more were all big hits in McKellen’s acting career.
He rose to fame internationally after receiving an Oscar nomination for his performance as director James Whale in the 1998 film, Gods and Monsters, which paved the way for one of the greatest career turns in film history. In the 2000 film X-Men, McKellen played Magneto, one of the most renowned villains in comic book culture.
In 2012, McKellen, who was then 73 years old, said that he had been told he had prostate cancer six or seven years earlier but had kept the news to himself. He didn’t undergo any specific treatment at that time, as his cancer was contained and not spreading. He told the Daily Mirror, “You do gulp when you hear the news.” It’s like when you go for an HIV test. You go, Aargh! “Is this the end of the road?”
He added that his cancer was monitored to see that it hadn’t spread. The actor is 83 years old and doing well.
“Many, many men die from it,” he said, “but it’s one of those cancers that is completely treatable, so I’m keeping a close eye on it.”
2. American actor: Ben Stiller
Actor, writer, and director Ben Stiller, who is known to make audiences laugh, revealed he was diagnosed with cancer in June 2014. He revealed it via an essay he wrote that described his long struggle to fight the cancer.
“The three months in between were a crazy roller coaster ride with which about 180,000 men a year in America can identify,” Stiller wrote of the time.
In September of that year, he was declared cancer-free. But the diagnosis shook him to his core. He wrote this essay to spread awareness about prostate cancer. The essay’s publication came in 2016, in connection with Stiller’s appearance on “The Howard Stern Show.” Stiller talked about his diagnosis from two years ago and how early testing is one of the biggest reasons why he was able to fight prostate cancer.
“Taking the PSA test saved my life.” Literally! “That’s why I am writing this now,” Stiller wrote.
3. Chef: Cyrus Todiwala, Indian
A well-known Indian chef named Cyrus Todiwala said that he was told he had prostate cancer in 2020, when the novel Coronavirus hit the world. His working life journey has been very hectic since 1976, as he used to work 15 hours a day. He always thought he was alright until his encounter with prostate cancer.
Todiwala could sense a few symptoms and got himself checked. Reports were completely fine, and nothing was detected. As his close friend, Chef Andrew Bennett, was suffering from prostate cancer at the time, Todiwala was conscious and wanted to get it out of his head. Even though the doctor was not completely convinced to examine her again, Todiwala wanted a full checkup. A PSA test was done, followed by an MRI, and he was diagnosed with the fourth stage of prostate cancer. The doctor said that he was lucky enough, as the diagnosis was just a few months away from the stage that could have led to a blowout.
He was fortunate to be operated on just before the hospitals were closed due to the emergence of the pandemic and the closure of all COVID-related hospitals. On March 24, when all hospitals were closed, Mr. Prasanna Sooriyakumaran performed surgery, and Todiwala was his second-last patient. A few months later, his friend Chef Andrew lost his battle with cancer.
4. Chef: Ken Hom, Chinese American
Celebrity chef and television presenter Ken Hom is a brand ambassador of Prostate Cancer UK (formerly known as The Prostate Cancer Charity). He is a prostate cancer survivor himself. Hom was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2010 during his annual physical checkups in Bankong. He decided to go for the proton beam-based treatment. He spent 2 months getting around 37 treatments, which took 3–4 minutes each. Though he is very philosophical about life and believes in destiny and death, he still felt lucky that he saw a doctor on time.
When he was asked about why he decided to join the therapy, he said, “I am hoping that my story might save lives.” “I want to show that a personal gesture can help a worthy cause, and I hope that I can be an example to others.”
“I didn’t think that prostate cancer would happen to me, but it did, and I know I’m very lucky to still be here today.” “I know that by leaving a gift in my will, I’ll be funding life-saving research into better tests and treatments for prostate cancer and helping future generations of men live long and live well.”
5. Sportsman: Ken Griffey Jr., Afro-American
Retired Major League Baseball All-Star and World Series champion Ken Griffey Sr. once said that people who are diagnosed with cancer usually have a hard time telling others as they don’t want them to be scared.
Ken Griffey Sr. himself was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2006 at the age of 55. One of the hardest things for him to do was to confront his children, Ken Griffey Jr., a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame who was playing for the Cincinnati Reds at the time, and Craig Griffey at that time.
Griffey also mentions how difficult it is for men to discuss their symptoms with their doctors.
“I had three friends of mine that I played golf with for years,” Griffey Sr. said. “Until I got diagnosed with it, I had no idea that they all had the surgery for prostate cancer, and they would not talk about it until they found out I was diagnosed with it.”
Griffey Sr. is 66 years old now and has been cancer-free for several years. He got another chance with life just because he was tested at an early stage. Griffey Sr. and Jr. also teamed up with Bayer for the “Men Who Speak Up Moment” to encourage men out there to get tested.
Conclusion
The second most frequent cancer in men and the fourth most frequent cancer overall is prostate cancer. In 2020, there will be about 1.4 million brand-new cases of prostate cancer. This type of cancer is very difficult to detect. You may have to go through various screenings and tests. But sooner is better. Even if you’ve been fit for years, you can still have it. The biggest change can be made by simply being informed and taking precautions. With all the responsibilities you carry on your shoulders, make a little space to take charge of your health.