This Movember, Don't Ignore These Men's Health Signs.

Every November, moustaches start appearing on faces that don't usually have them. That's Movember, a global campaign that uses the moustache to get people talking about men's health and to raise money for prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention.

Plenty of men put off health checks and keep problems to themselves until they're hard to ignore. If you've been doing that, this month is a good excuse to stop.

These are the checks and conversations worth having this month, including the urinary and sexual health problems men often don't mention. If some of this feels awkward to read, that's normal. It's also why many men put off getting help.

The Big Three: Movember's Core Causes

Your GP is usually the best place to start with any of these. If that feels like a big step, a pharmacist or NHS 111 can point you in the right direction.

Prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK. More than 64,000 men are diagnosed each year, and more than 12,000 die from it. It mainly affects men over 50, and your risk goes up as you get older. If you're Black or have a family history of prostate cancer, your risk is higher from the age of 45. Around 1 in 4 Black men will get prostate cancer in their lifetime, compared with around 1 in 8 men overall.

Early prostate cancer often causes no symptoms, so don't wait until something feels wrong. If you're in one of these groups, talk to your GP about your risk and the pros and cons of the PSA blood test, and mention any family history of prostate or breast cancer. A raised PSA doesn't always mean cancer, and a normal result doesn't always rule it out. Prostate Cancer UK's risk page explains more.

See your GP about changes in how you pee too, such as needing to go more often. Cancer usually isn't the cause, though even mild symptoms should be looked into.

Overall, 87.5% of men diagnosed in England from 2015 to 2019 survived for 5 years or more. Survival is much lower once prostate cancer has spread further in the body, which is why getting symptoms and risk checked matters.

Should there be more prostate cancer screening?

The decision

Most men in the UK won't be invited for prostate cancer screening. In May 2026, the UK National Screening Committee recommended against screening all men.

It backed a PSA test every 2 years only for men aged 45 to 61 with a BRCA2 gene change and a family history of certain cancers. The Government has accepted this for England, where around 1,500 men are expected to be eligible.

Why campaigners want more

A lot of people think that doesn't go far enough. Prostate Cancer Research and other campaigners want screening for more men at higher risk, including Black men and men with a family history. They argue that modern MRI-first testing has reduced the harms of screening.

More than 100,000 people signed a petition calling for screening for all high-risk men, and MPs debated it on 26 October 2026.

Why the committee said no

The committee says the PSA test isn't reliable enough to screen all men, and that screening them would do more harm than good. Its figures suggest around 80% of men whose cancers are found through screening wouldn't benefit, while some treatments can cause lasting incontinence and erection problems.

The Royal College of GPs supports the decision, and Cancer Research UK says it's consistent with the evidence.

For Black men, the committee says it's still uncertain whether screening would do more good than harm. The large TRANSFORM trial is testing newer approaches, and the recommendation can be reviewed as new evidence comes in.

What happened in the debate

The debate didn't change the decision. MPs from different parties, including former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, challenged the committee's approach and pressed for better early diagnosis.

Health minister Dame Diana Johnson said decisions on wider screening must remain evidence-led. She also said the committee's screening model will be funded for another 3 years, and that recommendations could be revisited if strong new evidence supports including more high-risk groups.

Prostate Cancer Research said the Government made no new commitments on wider screening, and it's now calling for a timetable for when this will next be reconsidered.

The minister confirmed that men outside the screening programme can still ask their GP for a PSA test after discussing the benefits and risks.

Testicular cancer

Testicular cancer mostly affects men aged 15 to 49. It's one of the most treatable cancers, and it's easier to treat when it's found early.

Check your testicles about once a month. The best time is during or just after a warm bath or shower, when the skin is relaxed. You're getting to know what's normal for you, so you can spot a lump, swelling, or any change in size or feel.

See your GP as soon as possible if you notice a change, or if you have an ache or pain in your testicles or scrotum. Most lumps aren't cancer, but they should always be checked. The NHS testicular cancer page lists the symptoms to look out for.

Mental health

Men are often less likely to ask for help when they're struggling. If you don't feel like yourself, tell a friend or see your GP. Don't wait until you've reached a crisis.

Mental health and suicide prevention are core Movember causes. In England and Wales, the suicide rate in 2025 was about 3 times higher in men than in women, and highest among men aged 50 to 54. There's rarely one simple reason why someone reaches that point, but suicide is preventable and support can help.

Depression isn't always obvious. The Mental Health Foundation says men may be more likely to show it in these ways:

• being irritable or having sudden anger or aggression
• feeling less in control
• taking more risks
• using alcohol or drugs to cope
• throwing yourself into work
• not talking to family or friends about how you feel

Other common signs of depression include feeling constantly tired, sleeping badly, having aches and pains, and losing interest in things you used to enjoy.

Stress, anxiety and depression can all play a part in erection problems, and counselling or therapy can help when they do. Some medicines can also affect erections, so speak to your GP before stopping anything you've been prescribed.

A prostate cancer diagnosis can affect your mood too. Prostate Cancer UK says many men feel they have to stay strong for the people around them, and that some treatments can affect mood. Its specialist nurses are on 0800 074 8383.

Where to get support

• Your GP. Speak to them if low mood or these signs last for 2 weeks or more, or sooner if you're worried.
• NHS Talking Therapies. In England, you can refer yourself for free therapy for problems such as anxiety and depression without seeing your GP first. In Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, ask your GP what's available near you.
• ANDYSMANCLUB. These free peer support groups for men meet on Mondays at 7pm across the UK and online, except on bank holidays. You don't need to book, and there's no pressure to speak.

If you're worried about a mate

Try asking "how are you really doing?" and give him time to answer. Ask open questions, listen, and take what he says seriously. You don't need to have the answers, and you can call the helplines below for advice about him too.

The Everyday Signs Men Tend to Ignore

Common, treatable urinary and sexual health problems can go on for years because men are embarrassed to mention them. In a large US study, around half of men aged 40 to 70 had some degree of erection difficulty, and about 3 in 10 men aged 50 or older have urinary symptoms.

How to Bring It Up With Your GP

GPs deal with these problems all the time, so the words don't have to be perfect. You could start with one of these:

• "I've got something a bit embarrassing to talk about."
• "My erections have changed over the last few months."
• "I've been leaking urine and I'd like to get it checked."
• "My dad had prostate cancer, and I'd like to talk about my risk."

It helps to note down when the problem started and how often it happens. If you'd feel more comfortable seeing a male or female doctor, ask when you book.

Why Erectile Health Is Worth Paying Attention To

Erections depend on healthy blood flow. The arteries in the penis are narrow, so the British Heart Foundation says erection problems can be one of the first warning signs of atherosclerosis, where fatty material narrows the arteries. They can also signal a higher risk of heart attack. Erection problems are a good reason to get checked, though they don't mean you have heart disease.

Occasional problems are common and usually come down to stress, tiredness or too much alcohol. See your GP if they keep happening, even if you're already managing them another way. Possible causes include:

• high blood pressure or high cholesterol
• diabetes
• hormone problems
• depression or anxiety
• side effects of some medicines

Treating the cause may help, and treatments for erection problems include tablets, vacuum pumps and counselling. If you have a heart condition or take other medicines, speak to your doctor before taking erection tablets, as they aren't safe with some medicines.

Everyday changes can help too. Try to stop smoking, keep to a healthy weight, eat well, stay active, reduce stress, and keep alcohol to no more than 14 units a week.

Other Checks Worth Doing

Problems with blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar are easy to miss because they don't always cause obvious symptoms. These checks can pick them up:

• NHS Health Check. If you're in England, aged 40 to 74 and don't already have certain conditions, you can have a free check every 5 years. It includes your blood pressure and cholesterol, and looks at your risk of problems such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and kidney disease. If you haven't been invited, ask your GP practice. The NHS Health Check page has more details.
• Blood pressure. High blood pressure doesn't usually cause symptoms, so a test is the only way to know if you have it. Adults over 40 are advised to get checked at least every 5 years. Many pharmacies in England offer free checks to eligible people aged 40 and over, without an appointment.
• Cholesterol. This is checked with a simple blood test, which is part of the NHS Health Check. If you're not eligible for one but you're concerned, ask your GP.
• Type 2 diabetes. Many people have it without realising. Diabetes UK's free Know Your Risk tool takes a few minutes. Speak to your GP if you're worried or have symptoms of type 2 diabetes, such as peeing more than usual or feeling thirsty all the time.

The NHS Health Check and pharmacy blood pressure details above are for England. If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, ask your GP or local NHS services what's available.

Your Movember Checklist

• Book the appointment you've been putting off.
• Know your prostate risk, especially if you're over 50, or over 45 and Black or with a family history.
• Check your testicles and set a monthly reminder on your phone.
• Ask a mate how he's really doing, and answer honestly when he asks you.
• Get your blood pressure checked, especially if you're over 40 and it's been a while.
• Mention the awkward stuff. Tell your GP about erection changes, leaks or anything else you've been avoiding.

Book the Appointment

Moustaches get people talking, but you still have to get checked.

Pick one thing from this blog and do it this week, whether that's booking a GP appointment or messaging a mate you haven't heard from in a while. If embarrassment has been holding you back, remember that GPs deal with these problems all the time.

If you're struggling right now, you don't have to wait for an appointment. Samaritans are on 116 123, day or night.

This article is for general information and is not a substitute for personalised medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional about your own health, and seek prompt medical attention for any new or concerning symptoms.