Urology Austin Physicians Have “Shaved” the Date – Movember is here!

On November 1st, Urology Austin physicians Dr. David Cuellar and Dr. Robert Northway shaved like most other days. But for the rest of the month, they’re throwing their razors away and sprouting mustaches like thousands of other men around Central Texas and around the world in honor of ‘Movember’.

Last month, millions donned pink in honor of breast cancer awareness month. This month, Movember ‘staches’ start conversations about sometimes awkward topics like prostate and testicular cancer.
“It’s a great way for me to open the lines of communications about men’s health issues with my patients,” explained Dr. David Cuellar, urologist with Urology Austin.

According to the American Cancer Society, 241,710 will develop prostate cancer this month and more than 28,000 will die from it. Movember is a great way to reach younger men as well, especially about testicular cancer, a disease that strikes more than 8,500 men a year, according to the National Cancer Institute.

Typical protocol for men is to visit their doctor’s office only when they’re already experiencing symptoms, or when a body part isn’t working right anymore. But with certain cancers, like prostate cancer, it’s better to stay on top of your health before symptoms occur. The American Cancer society says a man’s chances of survival are nearly 100% if you catch the disease early.

There’s been a lot of confusion surrounding the only existing prostate cancer screening test – the PSA test. Even though the US Preventive Services Task Force recommends against routine PSA tests, Urology Austin physicians explain it’s important for men to have open conversations with their physicians.

“Men over age 50 should get routine PSA tests on an annual basis and those with a family history of prostate cancer should start earlier – at age 40,” said Dr. Robert Northway, urologist with Urology Austin.

Movember is a great way to help change men’s attitudes about their health and educate them about the health risks they face. For more information about men’s health issues, go to www.urologyaustin.com