The Member for Riverton Mike Nahan has shaved his trademark moustache in an effort to raise awareness of testicular cancer.
Dr Nahan’s decision to go clean-shaven was part of his involvement in the Movember Foundation’s month-long awareness and fundraising event.
It is not the first time Dr Nahan has been involved in Movember: he last shaved his moustache as part of the event in 2014.
He said it was important for men to open up about and discuss testicular cancer.
“Prostate cancer is a big issue,” he said.
“Men often don’t get themselves checked because they think they’re invincible.”
Traditionally men have grown facial hair as part of the Movember event, but as Dr Nahan routinely sports a bushy top lip he said the next best thing was to lose his.
“I did the opposite,” he said.
“Most people grow them, I shaved it.”
Symptoms of prostate cancer generally involve urination, including frequently or unexpectedly needing to urinate, or having difficulty or discomfort when doing so.
Finding blood in urine or semen, and having pain the lower back, upper thighs or hips is are also symptoms.
It is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australian men but early detection and treatment can significantly improve the chance of survival according to Cancer Council Australia.
CCA recommends men over 50-years-old be tested every two years.
