'Decembeard' calls on men to grow a beard for bowel cancer awareness
The time has come to grow a beard this December for Bowel Cancer Australia’s latest Decembeard campaign — a “hair-raising” fundraiser designed to spark awareness and generate much-needed funds.
While Movember has become a household name, Decembeard began in 2013 with a simple call to action: grow a beard to help fight bowel cancer.
Bowel cancer is the second deadliest cancer among Australians aged 25–54. Each year, 14,904 Australians are diagnosed and 5,372 lose their lives. Yet early detection is remarkably effective — 99% of cases can be treated when caught early — but currently fewer than half are detected in time.
Bowel Cancer Australia estimates that 51.7% of early-onset bowel cancer cases are diagnosed in women and 48.3% in men, with 85% experiencing symptoms before diagnosis.
For men, bowel cancer remains the third most common newly diagnosed cancer and the third deadliest:
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7,930 men are diagnosed each year, including 910 under 50
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2,832 men die from bowel cancer annually, including 174 under 50
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53.2% of all Australians diagnosed with bowel cancer are men
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As part of this year’s campaign, Bowel Cancer Australia is inviting men and families affected by bowel cancer to share their stories — a powerful way to raise awareness and encourage earlier detection.