Movember: Keep an eye on the transformation of Astro AWANI's anchor

Astro AWANI is supporting the Movember – The Ultimate Shave Off campaign organized by the National Cancer Council Malaysia (MAKNA).

It is a campaign to raise awareness on prostate and testicular cancer.

Our anchor Syah Hairizal Kamalul Arifin will grow a moustache as part of this campaign.

His photos will be shared from time to time on Astro AWANI’s official Instagram account, @501awani, beginning October 1.

What is prostate cancer?

According to the Ministry of Health’s myHealth portal, prostate cancer is a tumor that starts from the prostate gland. It is the most common cancer in men.

Among the causes are age, family history and High levels of testosterone (a male sex hormone) may speed up or cause the development of prostate cancer.

'Movember - The Ultimate Shave Off'

The Movember campaign began in Australia in 1999 to raise awareness on male health issues including prostate cancer.

In Malaysia, several charity organizations and individuals have initiated this campaign on their own.

However, this year MAKNA started the ‘Movember – The Ultimate Shave Off’ campaign to create awareness on prostate and testicular cancer while raising funds for the cause.

According to MAKNA Deputy General Manager Vemanna Appannah, prostate cancer and testicular cancer is not openly discussed in comparison to breast cancer among women and leukemia among children.

"What is prevalent only for men is prostate and testicular cancer, which is less spoken about or less highlighted among the other cancers.

“We want to give an understanding so that men will take notice of their health and will conduct regular check-ups.

Vemanna also said that men rarely want to take about prostate and testis because it is about their body parts.

“Long time back, people do not talk about breast cancer – especially Asians – because it is something very personal and people are shy to talk about their own body parts. That’s how breast cancer was perceived long time back.

“It is quite similar to how men do not talk about prostate and testis because it is a private part that they do not like to have a discussion about. So what we are trying to do is to get people to have a conversation about it so that is not something you keep (to yourself) but you bring it out and speak about it.

As part of the campaign, there will be video contest, selfie challenge and at ultimate shave off on December 2 which will take place at Great Eastern Mall, Ampang.

MAKNA targets to collect RM150,000 during the Movember – The Ultimate Shave Off campaign period.