A Hairy Way to Raise Cancer Awareness

Doctors Hospital Staff Are Growing Out Their Mustaches for a Good Cause

November 8, 2022

In addition to providing patients with high-quality care, the staff at Doctors Hospital strives to raise health awareness. This month, that means participating in No Shave November as a way to bring awareness to cancer prevention while aiding those fighting cancer.

Do you want to help as well? Consider growing out your mustache or beard (or encouraging a family member or friend to do so) for the month of November and donating those monthly hair maintenance expenses to cancer research and prevention associations.

Whether you participate or not, it’s important to know the facts about cancer detection and prevention.

Detection

Early detection is key to cancer survival. An early diagnosis can provide patients with more — often less-disruptive — treatment options. One key to early detection is to schedule and follow through on routine screenings, as cancer at its early stages can be asymptomatic but still detectable.

Consider screenings for these cancers at your next checkup:

• Cervical cancer
• Breast cancer
• Testicular cancer
• Lung cancer

Vaccines

Some cancers are caused by viruses and can be avoided through vaccination, including:

• Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which has been linked to cervical, anal, throat, vaginal, vulvar and penile cancers.
• Hepatitis B virus (HBV), which over time can lead to a higher risk for liver cancer.​

Lifestyle

Caring for your body and living a healthy life can also lower your risk of cancer. Take these steps to avoid common cancers:

• Protect your skin against the sun. Skin cancer is the most common kind of cancer, primarily caused by overexposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun and tanning beds. Protect yourself from the sun by applying sunscreen and wearing sun-protecting clothing and accessories.
• Avoid smoking. Lung cancer is predominantly linked to cigarette smoking. Smokers have 25 times greater risk of lung cancer, according to the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
• Exercise and maintain a healthy diet. Obesity can have negative effects on the body, including inflammation and higher levels of insulin and sex hormones, which can put you at higher risks of several cancers.