Movember and men’s health: why awareness must be backed by research and action? 

Men continue to face significant health disparities worldwide. They are less likely to seek medical advice promptly, more likely to delay discussions about mental health concerns, and remain disproportionately affected by premature mortality from several preventable or treatable conditions. The burden of prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and suicide illustrates this reality. 

Clinical research has played a central role in improving outcomes for many men’s health conditions, yet substantial unmet needs remain. As Movember returns each year, it offers an opportunity not only to raise awareness but also to examine how research, and evidence-based interventions can drive lasting improvements in men’s health. 

Understanding the burden of prostate cancer 

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting men 

According to IARC estimates, more than 1.5 million men were diagnosed with prostate cancer worldwide in 2024, resulting in nearly 420,000 deaths. As the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in men, prostate cancer remains one of the most significant challenges in oncology, placing a growing burden on patients, healthcare systems, and research communities worldwide. 

In the UK alone, approximately 57,900 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year, and around one in six men will receive a diagnosis during their lifetime. As populations continue to age and the number of cases increases globally, improving early detection and delivering more personalised, patient-centred care remain key priorities. 

Advances in screening and early detection 

The introduction of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing represented a major step forward, enabling cancers to be identified earlier and increasing opportunities for curative treatment. However, it also highlighted the limitations of broad, one-size-fits-all screening approaches, particularly the risk of overdiagnosing slow-growing tumours that may never have become clinically significant. 

To address these challenges, research is increasingly focused on more personalised screening strategies that better identify individuals at greatest risk of developing clinically significant disease. Rather than relying on a single test, emerging approaches combine multiple sources of information, including: 

• Multiparametric MRI 

• Genetic risk profiling 

• Family history assessment 

• Advanced biomarkers 

• MRI-guided biopsy strategies 

This shift reflects a broader trend towards precision medicine. As evidence continues to evolve, risk-stratified screening is increasingly being viewed as a promising approach to delivering more personalised and patient-centred prostate cancer care. 

The role of clinical development in improving outcomes 

Clinical research continues to transform prostate cancer management across the disease continuum. Recent oncology trials have contributed to: 

• Improved imaging modalities 

• Precision medicine approaches 

• Novel hormonal therapies 

• Radioligand therapies 

• Combination treatment strategies 

• Real-world evidence generation 

These advances are translating into measurable improvements in patient outcomes. According to Cancer Research UK, 10-year survival has improved dramatically since the 1970s and now approaches 80% in the UK. Today, prostate cancer has one of the highest survival rates among common cancers when detected and managed appropriately. 

Beyond survival gains, the treatment landscape has evolved significantly over the past decade. The introduction of next-generation androgen receptor pathway inhibitors, advanced imaging techniques such as PSMA PET scanning, and targeted therapies have improved disease management across multiple stages of prostate cancer. In metastatic settings, these innovations are helping patients achieve longer progression-free survival and, in many cases, extended overall survival compared with historical standards of care. 

The treatment landscape has evolved considerably from a one-size-fits-all approach towards more personalised care pathways. Clinicians can now combine imaging findings, genomic information, disease characteristics, and patient preferences to support more informed treatment decisions. This shift reflects the growing impact of precision medicine in routine clinical practice. 

Testicular cancer: a rare disease with major implications 

Why testicular cancer deserves greater attention 

Although testicular cancer accounts for a relatively small proportion of cancer diagnoses worldwide, its impact is significant because it primarily affects younger men. According to IARC estimates, approximately 70,700 new cases and more than 9,200 deaths occur globally each year. Most diagnoses occur between the ages of 20 and 40, making testicular cancer one of the most common cancers affecting young adult men.

While the disease is highly treatable, early detection remains essential. Advances in diagnosis and treatment have contributed to excellent outcomes, with more than 96% of patients in the UK surviving for at least ten years after diagnosis. These results highlight the importance of continued awareness, timely diagnosis, and ongoing research to further improve patient outcomes and quality of life. 

Research opportunities beyond survival 

The success of modern treatments has shifted the focus of testicular cancer research. With most patients now achieving long-term survival, the challenge is increasingly centred on optimising life after treatment and addressing the long-term consequences of the disease. 

Current research efforts are focusing on: 

• Long-term quality of life 

• Fertility preservation 

• Treatment de-escalation strategies 

• Survivorship care 

• Psychosocial impacts 

• Management of relapsed disease 

This evolution reflects a broader shift towards patient-centred care, where treatment success is measured not only by survival outcomes but also by long-term wellbeing, functional health, and quality of life. . 

Addressing unmet needs in rare and underfunded cancers 

Despite its excellent prognosis, testicular cancer accounts for only around 1% of cancers diagnosed in men and remains a relatively rare disease. While substantial progress has been made over recent decades, important questions remain about the long-term needs of the predominantly young population affected by the disease.

Continued investment in clinical research is essential to generate robust evidence and support further improvements in care. This includes a better understanding of survivorship challenges, the optimisation of follow-up strategies, and the development of approaches that address patients’ needs throughout their healthcare journey. Through investments in research and healthcare initiatives, Movember contributes to advancing knowledge and supporting more effective, patient-centred care for men living with and beyond testicular cancer.

Men’s mental health: the challenge beyond physical disease 

A global health issue with significant consequences 

Mental health is an equally important component of men’s health. The WHO estimates that more than 720,000 people die by suicide every year worldwide. Suicide accounted for approximately 1.1% of all deaths globally in 2021, with 73% of suicides occurring in low- and middle-income countries.

While suicide affects both sexes, men are disproportionately impacted. Globally, men account for around two-thirds of all suicide deaths, and the age-standardised suicide rate among men is more than twice that of women. This disparity reflects a complex interaction of social, behavioural, economic, and healthcare-related factors.

Research has identified several barriers that may reduce help-seeking behaviours among men, including: 

• Social stigma 

• Gender norms 

• Limited mental health literacy 

• Fear of discrimination 

• Reduced access to specialised support 

As a result, interventions focused solely on awareness are unlikely to achieve substantial improvements without parallel investment in healthcare infrastructure, community programmes, and evidence-based prevention initiatives. 

The role of data and research in mental health innovation 

Mental health research has expanded considerably over the last decade, leading to a better understanding of risk factors, prevention strategies, and effective support models. This progress is particularly important given the global burden of mental health conditions and the significant impact they have on individuals, families, and communities.

Areas receiving increasing attention include: 

• Digital mental health interventions 

• Telemedicine 

• Behavioural science 

• Suicide prevention programmes 

• Community-based support models 

• Real-world evidence studies 

The WHO’s LIVE LIFE framework highlights evidence-based approaches such as restricting access to means of suicide, improving responsible media reporting, developing life skills, and strengthening early identification and support systems.  

For clinical development professionals, these programmes provide important examples of how multidisciplinary research can contribute to measurable public health outcomes. 

How Movember contributes to research, prevention, and patient engagement 

Awareness as a catalyst for action 

Movember’s success stems from its ability to transform awareness into engagement. Unlike traditional awareness campaigns, Movember combines public participation with funding mechanisms that support research, healthcare innovation, and evidence generation. 

According to Movember, more than 1,320 funded projects have been supported across 20 countries through partnerships focused on prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health, and suicide prevention.  

This model reflects an important principle within healthcare innovation: awareness campaigns deliver the greatest value when linked to measurable interventions and research outcomes. 

Supporting evidence generation and implementation science 

Movember increasingly focuses on generating evidence and translating research findings into real-world practice. A notable example is the Movember Institute of Men’s Health, supported by a $100 million commitment designed to accelerate men’s health research and implementation efforts globally. The initiative aims to strengthen evidence generation, support future researchers, improve knowledge translation, and influence policy development.  

Importantly, the Institute emphasises implementation science, recognising that effective interventions only create impact when successfully integrated into healthcare systems and patient pathways.  

Patient-centricity as a key driver of success 

Patient perspectives are playing an increasingly important role in shaping healthcare research and delivery. Supported programmes increasingly integrate patient needs, experiences, and preferences into study design, outcome assessment, and care pathways. This shift reflects a broader transformation across the life sciences sector, where patient-centred trial designs, decentralised research approaches, and more meaningful outcome measures are becoming standard practice.

Beyond improving patient engagement, these approaches can help generate evidence that better reflects real-world experiences and unmet needs. By placing patients at the centre of decision-making, researchers and healthcare organisations are better positioned to develop solutions that are both scientifically robust and relevant to those they aim to serve.