As part of Movember, a month dedicated to the awareness of men’s cancers and mental health, the UBAF organised a number of awareness-raising events for its employees.
What is Movember?
First launched in 2003, the Movember campaign takes place every year throughout November to raise awareness and mobilise the public in the sensibilization of men’s cancers and mental health. Its name is a combination of ‘Moustache’ – the symbol of this prevention movement – and ‘November’, the month in which the campaign takes place.
Movember aims to reduce the number of premature deaths among men by 25 per cent by 2030 through funding research and raising awareness of early detection, which remains the best way to improve the chances of recovery and reduce the impact of the disease.
Male cancers and mental health
In France, three-quarters of suicides are committed by men. However, studies show that men are less likely than women to ask for help, whether from healthcare professionals or from those close to them. Gender stereotypes tend to convince them that they must be able to cope on their own, and that asking for help would be a sign of weakness. Raising awareness of mental health and the various forms of support available during this period is therefore an essential part of prevention.
An impactful campaign
This campaign helped raise awareness amongst our employees about men’s cancers through two key events:
A talk by a Movember France Ambassador, founder of the CerHom charity. CerHom (a contraction of ‘canCER’ and ‘HOMme’) launched the first support centre dedicated to helping families affected by men’s cancers.
A webinar: entitled ‘Men’s Health: prevention, seeking advice and having the courage to ask for help’, hosted by our partner Klesia.
A meaningful collective commitment
This Cancer Prevention Campaign highlighted the collective responsibility towards prevention. By encouraging dialogue and knowledge sharing, UBAF aims to contribute to a better understanding of public health issues and promote the adoption of good preventive practices in everyday life.
