OHSU Knight Cancer Institute Promotes Awareness With Hair-Raising Campaign

Things are going to get hairy at Oregon Health & Science University this month.

In an effort to raise awareness about men's and young adult cancers, the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute encourages the community to participate in Movember, formerly known as the month of November. During the month of Movember, men are being urged to grow a moustache. Women who want to offer their support can sport their favorite 'stache from a costume shop, or recruit their favorite guy to grow his own.

The "root" of the event was a conversation in 2003 between friends in Melbourne, Australia, who wanted to bring back the moustache. That idea has now "grown" into a global movement. To date, more than $47 million has been raised through official moustache-growing campaigns in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia and Spain.

Movember is now the largest global event for men's health. In the United States, funds raised by Movember will benefit the Prostate Cancer Foundation and the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

Why raise awareness for prostate, testicular and young adult cancers?

Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in men — it will strike 1 in 6 men in their lifetime. The death rate has fallen 40 percent compared to what was once projected. However, the number of new cases is expected to grow with the aging of "baby boomers," possibly reaching 300,000 per year by 2015. Testicular cancer is the most common cancer afflicting men aged 18 to 35.

Cancer is the leading disease killer of young adults in the United States with approximately 70,000 diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 40 each year. The OHSU Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Oncology Program is one of just a few programs focused on the special needs of this age group. The program provides specialized care and social support. OHSU's AYA program was founded with the support of the Lance Armstrong Foundation, one of two recipients of funds raised during Movember.

To learn more about Movember, including how you can start your own team, visit the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute Web site at www.ohsucancer.com or the Movember website: http://us.movember.com/

1. Register at http://us.movember.com/register/18028

2. Grow a moustache, ladies get a fake one from a Halloween costume shop or recruit your favorite guy to be a Mo Bro

3. Come to our end of Movember celebration – details to come

About the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute

With the latest treatments, technologies and 300 research studies, including dozens of clinical trials, it is the only cancer center between Sacramento and Seattle designated by the National Cancer Institute. It is an honor earned only by the nation's top cancer centers, and shared among the more than 500 doctors, nurses, scientists and staff who work together at the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute to reduce the impact of cancer.

About OHSU

Oregon Health & Science University is the state's only health and research university, and Oregon's only academic health center. OHSU is Portland's largest employer and the fourth largest in Oregon (excluding government). OHSU's size contributes to its ability to provide many services and community support activities not found anywhere else in the state. It serves patients from every corner of the state, and is a conduit for learning for more than 3,400 students and trainees. OHSU is the source of more than 200 community outreach programs that bring health and education services to every county in the state.


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