If you notice more men than usual sporting beards or moustaches this month, then it could be because they are taking part in Movember. Where men don't shave for the month of November and use the symbol of the tache, to get men talking to raise awareness of men's health, particularly Prostate and Testicular cancer. And, have some fun along the way.

The campaign was launched 10 years ago in Melbourne Australia by a group of friends and is now a worldwide annual event. Members of Australia's rugby team, the Wallabies, unveiled a Qantas aircraft each sporting a moustache in support of campaign.

Movember founder Tom Betts sporting a pretty nifty tache himself, said he was glad sportsmen like the Wallabies lent their support as it encouraged men to talk freely.

Whilst this is a fun idea, the idea behind it is a very serious and necessary one. As figures show 1 in 9 men or 10,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in the UK–with one man being diagnosed every 15 minutes. 90% of men under 55 will be affected by testicular cancer and 47% of men under 35 will be affected by it. Movember aims to raise awareness and encourage men to know their health and look for early signs of Testicular or Prostate cancer . For more information go to Prostate Cancer UK and The Institute of Cancer Research website.

Written and presented by Ann Salter