Movember 2024

 

A large proportion of our membership at CFA is male, and most of us have important men and boys in our lives, so men’s health is an important topic for all.

 

Movember is the movement to address the men’s health crisis on a global scale. Movember focuses on the three biggest health issues men face: mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.

Movember aims to make change by giving men the facts about health, changing behaviour for the better, creating services that work for men, uniting the brightest minds, listening to the community and advocating for men.

Mental health and suicide prevention
Three out of four suicides in Australia are men. Movember is working towards a world where men take action to be mentally well and are supported by those around them. For support with mental health, members are encouraged to contact the CFA Member Support Line on 1800 959 232 to access a range of free and confidential support and counselling services. Other external support services available include Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 and Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in Australia. Movember is working to unite researchers and experts to find breakthroughs from early detection to diagnoses, treatment and support. Symptoms of prostate cancer can include urgent need to urinate, difficulty starting to urinate, a slow or intermittent stream of urine, blood in the urine, pain when urinating or pain in the lower back or pelvis. If you are concerned, make an appointment with your doctor who can organise appropriate testing which may include a blood test.

Prostate cancer is covered under the Presumptive Rights Compensation Scheme, which has been specifically designed for firefighters who contract specified types of cancer due to their firefighting service. The scheme is open to both career firefighters and volunteer firefighters in Victoria. For more information, visit the Presumptive Rights Compensation/Cancer Claims page on the CFA Website.

Testicular cancer
Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in younger men, but it can be caught early with self-checks and is highly curable. Lumps or swelling of the testicles can be signs to look out for, and may indicate that it is time to see your doctor for a checkup.

Visit the Cancer Council for more information on prostate and testicular cancer.

Regular heart health checks

Regular heart health checks are important for all Australians and even more important for firefighters. Firefighters are at an increased risk of heart disease because of the nature of the work and exposures involved in firefighting. We know that the red flags for heart disease can be invisible, and your risk of heart attack or stroke can often be detected only through a heart health check, or by having a heart attack or stroke. 

For employees, each CFA office is offered two Health Ready health check sessions per year. For district mechanical officers, the Roadworthy for Life Program offers one heart health check and one functional movement screening each year. Look out for email invitations to those sessions at your work location for the opportunity to receive your free, confidential heart health check.

For volunteers, you can book a Health Watch health check session for your brigade, by filling out the Online Booking Form or email healthwatch@cfa.vic.gov.au.  

One brigade member from The Basin has shared his experience with the Health Watch Program, indicating that the program had picked up a health concern that he was not aware of. “It was a real eye-opener for my diabetes; I didn’t know I had it,” he said.

How to get involved in Movember this year

Grow a Mo – start November clean shaven and grow a moustache through the month of November while asking for donations.

Move for Mental Health – Throughout the month of November commit to walking or running 60 kilometres. This is to represent the 60 men we lose every hour to suicide globally.

Host a Mo-ment – Host an event that raises awareness and funds for men’s health.

 

 

Submitted by	Georgia Thacker