Promote Holistic Health This Movember

Thursday, November 17, 2016, 02:00 PM

Holistic Health for MovemberIt's that time of year again! Movember is back, where men sacrifice the clean-shaven look and embrace a little hairiness in order to raise aware awareness of prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men's mental health and suicide prevention.

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer affects the prostate: a gland under the bladder and ahead of the bowels. The prostate is responsible for creating a liquid that protects and nourishes sperm production.

When the prostate is affected by cancer, prostate cells reproduce at an accelerated rate, which can eventually lead to tumor growth. If prostate cancer goes undiagnosed and untreated, the cancer can grow and spread to different areas including the lymph nodes and bones.

Did you know that one out of eight men in Canada will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime? Eleven Canadians pass away from prostate cancer every day. Prostate cancer is the third-highest cause of death for men in Canada.

Testicular Cancer

Testicular cancer affects the testicles, vital to the creation of male hormones and sperm. At its onset, Testicular cancer causes an irregular growth in the testicles.

Testicular is the most prevalent form of cancer in men between the ages of 15 and 29. In 2015, 1,050 men in Canada were told they had testicular Cancer. The survival rate of men diagnosed with testicular cancer in a five-year period is 97%.

Men's Mental Health and Suicide Prevention

Did you know that one in ten men in Canada will have acute depression in their lifetimes? Each day, eight men commit suicide in Canada. 

Holistic Health and Movember

Several holistic health treatments have been found to be effective in treating the symptoms of prostate and testicular cancer while patients are undergoing treatment.

A recent study untaken at the University of Pennsylvania found that yoga helped improve quality of life for study participants, and helped with fatigue symptoms and stabilize symptoms of erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence.

Yoga's overall effectiveness in treating these symptoms can be explained by yoga's ability to strengthen the pelvis muscles and to elevate blood flow.

Recent studies have also indicated that acupressure may be effective in treating symptoms of nausea amongst prostate and testicular cancer patients, after chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

The balance of mind and body is an intrinsic and a fundamental concept of many holistic health practices, many of which can be beneficial in treating overall mood.

Several studies have proven massage, yoga, and other holistic health practices effective in treating and addressing symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and insomnia (amongst several other mental health issues).

For more information about these practices, check out our Holistic Health Guide!

What You Can Do to Help Promote Holistic Health and Movember

Did you know that you don't need to grow a moustache in order support Movember, prostate and testicular cancer, and men's health? There are several ways to get involved and spread the word.

Share the benefits of holistic health to Movember causes with your family and friends by encouraging them to visit the NHPC website and our Holistic Health Guide!

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