Huron, S.d. – This November, the HRMC Foundation is on the move for “Movember,” sparking interest in men’s health awareness. The “Movember” movement invites men to grow mustaches during November, sparking conversations for men’s health, and in some cases, raising funds to support education.
In the spirit of increasing awareness for Men’s Health, the HRMC Foundation will visit a different business in Huron each weekday this month, providing male employees with free health screenings including cholesterol, blood glucose and blood pressure, offering insight into basic health and cardiac risk. The screenings are sponsored through the generosity of donors to the Bob Myers Fund.
One significant focus during “Movember” is prostate cancer. It’s essential for men, particularly those over 45 or those with family history of prostate cancer, to discuss screenings with their doctors. Early detection dramatically increases treatment success, which is why Tom Myers, mortgage loan officer at Dakotaland Federal Credit Union in Huron, is passionate about supporting men’s health through the Bob Myers Fund, established in memory of his father who passed away at an early age with prostate cancer.
Myers, who survived prostate cancer after his father passed away, accesses regular health screenings and participated in the Foundation’s “Movember” screening to encourage other men to do the same. “It’s a lot easier to treat and manage health issues if you can catch them early,” said Myers.
According to a 2019 study from Cleveland Clinic, over 50% of men tend to neglect routine health check-ups, often due to societal pressures or personal reluctance to discuss health issues. The consequences can be dire, leading to late diagnoses of potentially treatable conditions, including heart disease, which remains the leading cause of death of men in the U.S.
Understanding the risk of heart disease through awareness of personal health statistics and making lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise, a healthy diet, and smoking cessation, can significantly lower the probability of developing heart disease.
Healthcare professionals advise regular check-ups, open dialogues with medical providers, and awareness of family health history. By encouraging conversations, challenging stereotypes, and accessing resources for education and support, everyone can take steps forward in the movement to improve men’s health.
To learn more, visit huronregional.org/MHAM.
