Prostate cancer, Movember and the moustache: a conversation worth having

Each November, a moustache can do more than change a face. It can open a conversation that might encourage someone to learn their risk, ask about testing or support a person affected by prostate cancer.

Movember is a good time to talk about prostate cancer, but the message matters all year. The aim is not to alarm every man or suggest that everyone needs the same test. It is to make sure people know the facts and can make an informed decision with their doctor.

Prostate cancer in Australia

Prostate cancer is common. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) estimated that around 29,000 men would be diagnosed in 2025, making it the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australian men and accounting for about 30% of cancers diagnosed in men that year. These are projected figures, not a final count. Around 1 in 5 men are expected to be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime.

The outlook is often very good: the AIHW reports a 96% five-year relative survival rate for prostate cancer diagnosed in 2017–2021. That is a population statistic, not a prediction for any one person. Prostate cancers vary: some grow slowly and may never cause harm, while others can be aggressive and need timely treatment. Early assessment can help identify cancers that are more likely to matter, while careful risk assessment helps avoid unnecessary tests and treatment.

What does Movember mean?

Movember began with a simple idea: grow a moustache, raise funds and get people talking about men’s health. It has grown into a global movement supporting men’s health, including prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and physical activity.

The moustache is a friendly, visible conversation starter. Someone may ask, “Why the Mo?” and that gives you a chance to mention prostate cancer, ask a friend whether he knows his family history, or check in with someone who is going through diagnosis or treatment. A moustache cannot detect cancer, and growing one does not replace medical advice. Its value is in helping make a sometimes awkward subject easier to raise.

How is prostate cancer found?

Prostate cancer often causes no symptoms in its early stages. Urinary symptoms such as a weaker stream, needing to urinate more often or difficulty starting are common with ageing and an enlarged prostate, and do not by themselves mean cancer. Blood in the urine or semen, persistent pain, or a new urinary problem should be discussed with a doctor.

The first step in early detection is usually a conversation about personal risk and the possible benefits and downsides of testing. A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test measures a protein made by the prostate. PSA can rise for reasons other than cancer, including prostate enlargement, infection or inflammation. A raised result is not a diagnosis, and a low result does not rule out every cancer.

Australia’s updated national early-detection guidelines, approved by the National Health and Medical Research Council in May 2026, recommend discussing individual risks, preferences, benefits and possible harms before starting PSA testing. For men who choose testing, the guidelines recommend offering it every two years from age 50 to 69 for those not at higher risk, and from age 45 for those at higher risk. Higher risk includes a relevant family history, a confirmed BRCA2 gene mutation or Black sub-Saharan ancestry. Men aged 70 and over should discuss whether to continue testing in light of their health and preferences. These are discussion points, not a substitute for individual medical advice.

If a PSA result is higher than expected, a doctor may repeat the test and consider other information, such as age, symptoms, family history and examination findings. A urologist may recommend a prostate MRI to help decide whether a biopsy is appropriate and, if so, where to take samples. A biopsy is currently the test that confirms a diagnosis and provides information about the cancer’s grade. Not everyone with an elevated PSA needs a biopsy, and no test is perfect. If cancer is found, the next steps depend on its grade and stage, the person’s health and their preferences; some lower-risk cancers can be monitored with active surveillance.

Make November a reason to check in

This November, consider wearing blue when you walk, jog, run or volunteer at your local parkrun. Invite a friend or family member to join you. It is a simple way to show support, start a conversation and make space for men’s health alongside the usual weekend catch-up. This is a community invitation, not a claim that parkrun is running an official Movember campaign.

If you are unsure whether PSA testing is right for you, speak with your GP. Mention your age, family history and any symptoms, and ask what a result could mean and what the next steps might be. If someone close to you has prostate cancer, listening and offering to go with them to an appointment can be a practical form of support.

Grow a Mo, wear blue, or simply start the conversation. The moustache is the prompt; informed choices and looking out for one another are the point.

This article provides general information and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor. Testing decisions should be made with a health professional who can consider your personal circumstances.