As the new Michael Jackson movie states, This Is It. This is the final week of Movember. This is the last week where men from around the world all joined together and grew mustaches (or mo’s as it is know in Australia where the Movember cause originated back in 2003). Globally Canada ranks second next to Australia on the donation scale where we have raised over $4.2 million so far.

I’d like to personally thank all those who have donated to me so far, so if you haven’t please do so today. All the proceeds of this lovely MO are going to Prostate Cancer Canada.

Some short facts about prostate cancer:

25,500 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year alone (2009).

4,400 men will die of the disease this year.*

During his lifetime, 1 in 6 men will be diagnosed with the disease.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer to afflict Canadian men.

Rates of prostate cancer in men are comparable to rates of breast cancer in women.

The incidence of prostate cancer is increasing due to the aging of the population.

Over 90% of prostate cancer cases are curable if detected and treated in their earliest stages.

The disease is a far greater threat for those with a family history of prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is turning up in men in their 40s.

Prostate cancer develops as a result of dietary, environmental and heredity factors but more research is needed to identify its causes and prevent the disease.

The disease has no symptoms in its earliest, most curable stage – so if you are 40 years old, we recommend you talk to your doctor about a prostate examination, including a digital rectal exam (DRE) and a prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test.

Side effects – even of successful treatment – may include incontinence, impotence and changes in bowel habits.

Prostate cancer is often slow growing: in some patients, close monitoring may be sufficient treatment. Others, with more aggressive disease, warrant radical treatment with surgery or radiation. The latter treatments are sometimes combined with hormonal therapy.

Thought to be a potentially preventable cancer in many cases, but more research is needed and government support for this research is inadequate.

* Source: Canadian Cancer Society

I’ll leave you with an awesome video written by Tanya Roberts of Bluefinch Creative and produced by Greg Meeres of Boldfish Video Production on the Movember cause!

EDIT: A good friend Tris Hussey is auctioning off dress rehearsal tickets to the Vancouver Opera’s Norma before Blogger Night this Saturday. Please leave a comment on his blog and he’ll donate 100% to one of us Movember players.  Happy bidding.