A cancer charity yesterday asked men to “man up” to spread knowledge about the health problems they faced.

The Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre teamed up with razor company Gillette to encourage men to join the Movember movement, held in November every year and designed to shine a light on common problems for men such as some types of cancer and the risk of suicide.

Azuree Williams, the event and programme manager at BCHC, said that men’s lives ended six years earlier than women’s - often from preventable diseases.

She added: “The month of November is about getting men involved in activities they already love, such as challenging a rival sports team to a competition or round of golf, hosting a BBQ with friends or growing and shaving a moustache or beard.

“These activities are more than fun times and memories shared, but are a vital opportunity for our men to encourage each other to maintain a healthy lifestyle and to remind each other of the importance of knowing your family history and getting an annual health checkup each year.”

Movember was created to help men to find ways to raise funds for mental health programmes and cancer research and to promote their wellbeing and health.

Participants, known as “mo bros”, often grow their facial hair then shave it off to raise money.

Ms Williams said that mo bros in Bermuda had raised more than $630,000 since 2013 and that the money has funded the annual men’s health screening event.

Movember provides an opportunity for men to meet healthcare professionals and get free exams to test their blood pressure and blood sugar levels as well as screening for some cancers.

Ms Williams said that the health screening was aimed at men who did not have health insurance because BCHC research showed that they were a demographic less likely to visit a doctor, with some not having had a check up in more than five years.

Ms Williams said: “An objective of the annual men’s health screening is to help identify men whose screening results show that they may be at risk of a more serious condition.

“In these instances organisations step up to work with the gentlemen to lower their risk factors.”

Men can sign up for Movember at the BCHC at MOvember.bm.

Funds raised during Movember will also go towards health programmes including consultation, treatment and exams at the BCHC.

The charity will also have a celebration on December 4, where mo bros and their supporters are invited to visit Fort Hamilton in Pembroke at 6pm to celebrate their effort and “receive the attention and pampering they have earned”.