No-Shave November is a month-long awareness for prostate cancer, testicular cancer and men’s health overall. Most importantly, it is more than just a bunch of hairy men obsessed with growing the best facial hair or trying to grow any facial hair.

I came across an article that explains the seven things that no one tells us about No-Shave November. The article seems to get people to turn away from participating in the month-long forgoing of shaving. Some of the reasons in the article included that a good beard needs longer than one month to grow and not everyone can pull-off or grow facial hair.

It also says that people need to focus more on donating their money to research rather than growing facial hair. While donating to cancer is always an amazing contribution and helps in the fight against cancer, spreading awareness through facial hair can be just as important and should not be something that is looked down upon.

We should not discourage people to show support during November. Instead, we should be embracing men’s choice to partake in No-Shave November. As the shaving stops this month, there are many things to keep in mind.

1. Raising Awareness Means Starting A Discussion

Raising awareness is much more than educating people on what cancer is. It is spreading the word of how to be agile in detecting early signs. Whether it is doing self-checks or reaching out to a doctor for a check-up, it's important. Cancer can hit hard and fast, but early detection can make a huge difference. The growing of facial hair is helping to start conversations and is a reminder for some men to think about their health.

2. Symbolism Of Being Hairy

Many cancer patients lose their hair while going through treatments. During the No-Shave period of November, participants let their hair grow wild and free, something that many cancer patients do not have the luxury of doing.

3. The Less You Shave, The More You Can Donate

While many men let their hair run wild during November, they save money on shaving cream, razors, hair appointments and other shaving products. The idea is to use the money that is saved from not shaving and donate it to cancer research. Donations also help contribute to cancer patients and their caregivers.

4. No-Shave November Is NOT Sexist

Even though society frowns upon women growing facial hair, this does not mean that No-Shave November is sexist. Even though men can also be diagnosed with breast cancer, it is often associated more with women. No cancer should ever be viewed as superior. At the end of the day, cancer is cancer and they all have the same devastating impact on patients and their loved ones; no matter what sex you are!

5. Letting Your Hair Free Can Be Fun

Who cares if you cannot grow a full beard? It should not matter what you look like with your chosen facial hair. Cancer patients do not shave their head to make a fashion statement during their disease. So before you complain about your boyfriend’s or husband’s soon-to-be bushy or hairy face, please stop and think first. Before you threaten him with no kissing, think about the fathers, brothers and friends he is doing this for.

No-Shave November is meant to bring awareness for men’s health and help to fight cancer. So embrace this month-long freedom of having a hairy face. Get creative and try a facial-do you have yet to try. This is the month to do it all while spreading awareness for an amazing cause! Do not discourage your friends and family from participating; support them as they support the fight against cancer!

Cancer is one of those things people wish did not exist. We wish it could never be a possibility and most of all, we never think it can happen to us or someone we love. This November, grow the best beard, mustache or goatee you can. And if you cannot participate in the growing of facial hair, donations are always important regardless of the time of year.

I hope that this November, more of us can look past funny memes, the guys that still have one hair on their chin and the jokes about women not shaving their legs.

I hope we can all remember what the No-Shave November movement is really about and spread awareness about men’s health.

To all the families and loved ones affected by not only prostate and testicular cancer, stay strong moving forward.