Movember: Why do we wait for something to go wrong with our bodies?

John Wall delayed seeing his doctor as he thought his early symptoms were age-related —  it turned out he had advanced prostate cancer. He is one of many men who have signed up to support Movember, a worldwide drive to encourage males over the age of 45 to have a conversation with their doctor about their physical and mental health

John Wall pictured in Ennis, Co Clare. Picture: Eamon Ward

The men around you may have become hairier of face in recent weeks, and moustaches may have begun to sprout where no moustaches grew before. There’s a good reason for this. November is also Movember, the time of year when men worldwide grow moustaches and take part in activities to raise funds and awareness of men’s health.

They do this because it’s internationally recognised that men die younger than women. The health issues they face are different and they are statistically less likely than women to seek professional help for those issues.