Ladies, it’s time to NAG your man into talking all things balls, bums and brains this Movember
WHO doesn’t like being looked after?
We all love the thought of someone watching out for us, a little guardian angel sitting on our shoulder.
Getting us to get that mole checked out, or pay that parking fine.
Well guys, for many of you out their that guardian angel is your wife, girlfriend, mum or sister.
And yes you might just see it as nagging, but it might just be the kick you need to get some niggling health problem checked out.
As the temperatures start to drop and the crisp air causes my chemo spasms to get worse, it means just one thing… Movember is here.
So now girls it’s our job to get the lovely men in our lives talking, about their balls, bums and brains.
We need to nag our boys this November to make chat about testicular and prostate cancers and mental health issues the norm.
How often do we really talk openly, warts and all?
But it’s so important we share our deepest worries, those ones lurking in our heads, going round and around and leaving us anxious and worried.
And what about those lumps, bumps and strange symptoms you notice, but fail to mention to anyone?
When I started to spot blood in my poo, I shut down.
Despite my ability to wax lyrical about every tiny little medical worry I’d ever had BC (before cancer), when it got serious, I went quiet.
We need to nag our boys this November to make chat about testicular and prostate cancers and mental health issues the norm
And for once me shutting up was NOT a good thing… stage 4 bowel cancer kinda not a good thing.
The brilliant men in my life are brilliantly bad at talking about their health.
So much so that what my husband thought was a little bite a few years ago ended up being life-threatening sepsis.
Of course he wouldn’t take himself to the doctor, it took me to nag him, force him into the car and frog-march him to A&E to be pumped full of life-saving drugs.
I blame that stiff British upper lip from stopping us having open conversations – even ones that could save our lives.
But the bottom line is that HAS to change.
The state of mens’ health is in trouble – our boys are dying too young, years before their time from illnesses that can be PREVENTED.
HAIR-RAISING FEAT What is Movember, how can you get involved and how can the campaign save lives?
And we need to start talking about it now.
Men die on average four years younger than women, according to the Movember Foundation.
They’re leading the charge, raising awareness of three main pillars of men’s health:
- BRAINS – three out of four deaths from suicides in the UK are men
- BUMS – prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in men with a guy dying every 45 minutes
- BALLS – testicular cancer is the most common cancer in men under the age of 40, with 2,400 guys being diagnosed in the UK each year
That’s why we all need to encourage the guys we know to grow their moustache, and sign up to be a Mo Bro – it’s only a few days into the month, definitely still time.
If Albert Einstein can sport the look for more than 50 years, then you can do it for a month!
And despite the bristly kisses, the moustache really can have sex appeal, honest! Think Tom Selleck!
CATCH UP ON LAST WEEK Cancer is physically tough, really tough… but it’s nothing like the mental battle you have to wage every day
And then there’s the fact you can save time in the morning not having to shave, that’s extra time in bed.
And to top it off you might even find your new facial decoration relaxing, like the average Mo Bro who strokes their moustache 760 times a day.
The Movember Foundation is the only global charity focused solely on men’s health and they aim to raise money to fund vital research and support programmes to ensure that by 2030:
- we reduce the number of men dying prematurely by 25 per cent
- half the number of deaths from prostate and testicular cancer
- reduce the number of men taking their own lives by 20 per cent
Over the next few weeks I’m doing a Movember takeover, so watch this space for more info on this wonderful campaign.
But in the meantime, be the difference in your man’s life and visit the sign up, get involved, raise money and spread the word!
LOOKING GOOD DOES MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER!
I don’t know about you, but if I look in the mirror and look like rubbish, I generally feel rubbish.
For me, looking and feeling nice really helps me get through the tough times – and I’m not alone.
My chemo ward is full of glam women with faces covered in their “war paint”, dressed to the nines, sparkles and accessories cheering their days up.
This week I was lucky enough to meet a brilliant bunch of women and volunteers at a workshop hosted by The Royal Marsden by the lovely charity .
They run a variety of events in hospitals all over the UK for both men and women going through cancer treatment, to try and help them face cancer with confidence.
Together we laughed, cried and generally felt like teenagers exploring our brilliant goodie bags and having make up lessons.
It was a great pick-me-up and if you’re going through chemo I can’t recommend it enough.
#C*CKOFFCANCER
This week it’s been cycle FIFTEEN of chemo, and I’ve been taking it on in true Halloween stylee like the bad ass that is Catwoman.
My obsession with the scariest date of the year reached new heights this year.
But after hosting two parties, going on a pumpkin trail, buying a new 6ft talking pirate and setting up a graveyard in my garden, I’m pleased to see the back of my dancing skeleton for another year.
Won’t lie though, still dining out on the Halloween sweet stash!
Come join the I’d love to hear from you about #thethingscancermademesay.
Tell me your journey, show off your scars, share what keeps you smiling, or how you are giving two fat fingers to cancer (or anything else for that matter!)
To contact me email bowelbabe@the-sun.co.uk and you can also follow me on and