Movember Is Coming! Packer's Kuhn Is Ready.

It's just over a week now til November. Annually across the US and the world, and here at GMM, that means moving from one gender's cancer to another's. Each year November is celebrated as Movember - when men grow moustaches in order to raise awareness and funds for men's health including prostate cancer.

Kuhn in the process of getting shaved

This year, Green Bay Packers fan favorite John Kuhn and Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Cancer Network are teaming up for “Green and Gold Movember,” a prostate cancer public awareness initiative encouraging men to grow out their facial hair during the month of November. Green and Gold Movember launched Oct. 21, 2014 when Kuhn, a two-time Super Bowl champion and Pro Bowl performer, shaved his trademark beard during a private kickoff event at Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Froedtert Hospital campus. Video of his shave can be seen at this story on WISN.


After shaving his beard, Kuhn will grow facial hair throughout November. Kuhn’s progress will be tracked each week on the “Green Bay Nation” television show. The public will be encouraged to get creative in helping raise awareness about the importance of prostate cancer screenings in saving lives. People can submit individual or group photos of their own facial hair growth on various social media sites. People who prefer not to or are unable to grow facial hair will be encouraged to submit individual or group photos showing the “fake” beards, mustaches and other facial hair. At the end of the campaign, one submission will be selected at random with the winner receiving the chance to meet Kuhn at a private event later this year.

“This is a fun way to bring awareness to a serious issue,” Kuhn said. “I’m hoping to see lots of guys growing their facial hair out this month because together we can help men learn more about how prostate cancer screening can save lives.”

Approximately one in seven men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime, with African American men being 60% more likely to die from the disease. If found early, prostate cancer is one of the most treatable forms of cancer, yet it is the second leading cause of cancer death in men -- nearly 30,000 lose their lives to the disease each year.

William See, MD, a fellowship-trained urological oncologist, encourages every man to talk with his physician about prostate cancer screening and to know that options are available when seeking care. “This is one of the most progressive periods in prostate and urological cancer research, with significant focus on improved diagnostic approaches, individual risk-based disease management, and improved treatment for advanced disease,” said Dr. See.

Prostate cancer advances slowly, providing time for men to find a physician and treatment to best meet their needs. Men with a family history of prostate cancer and African American men are encouraged to be screened beginning at age 40. For others, screenings are recommended starting at age 50. Seeking a second opinion can be very valuable, Dr. See added. “Many physicians refer to urologists within their own health care systems. However these urologists may not focus exclusively on prostate and urological cancers, or have access to clinical trials which offer hope for many men.

“Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin health network is enthusiastically participating with John Kuhn in the MOVEMBER Green and Gold initiative,” said Dr. See, chair of urology at Froedtert & the Medical Center of Wisconsin Froedtert Hospital which U.S. News and World Report currently ranks among the nation’s top 40 leading urology programs. This publication has also recognized Dr. See as one of the top 50 urology physicians in the U.S.

As always, stay tuned here for news on Movember goings on in Milwaukee.