The Vodafone Fiji Movember campaign was launched yesterday.

Vodafone Sponsorship Specialist, Shamal Sharma, said he had opted to take on ‘grow and show’ your moustache as a theme to advocate the campaign.

“I am honoured to be part of this campaign as this would be a way for me to show my support on prostate cancer awareness in Fiji,” he said.

“The society is used to women being diagnosed with various sorts of cancer but today I was shocked to hear the number of men diagnosed with prostate cancer every year in Fiji.”

Mr Sharma is urging the public to get a medical examination for any early signs of prostate cancer.

“Cancer or any type of cancer should not be taken lightly; cancer doesn’t spare anybody whether you are old, young, male or female. We should be very vigilant with our diet and lifestyle on a daily basis,” he said.

A few male staff members took on the challenge to grow their moustache to raise awareness on prostate cancer and number of fundraising initiatives was organised throughout the month to raise funds for the Fiji Cancer Society.

Colonial War Memorial Hospital Surgical Registrar Dr Ronald Kumar said at least 10 to 15 men are treated annually for prostate cancer from every major centres in the country.

“Who gets prostate cancer, it’s the men who are 50 years and above. It’s the wives who get their husbands to the clinic; it’s the daughters who get their fathers to the clinics, the men always shy away,” he said.

Edited by Naisa Koroi

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