In fact, there are 3,000 good reasons because that is the number of men who die of prostate cancer in Australia each year. A further 18,700 new cases are diagnosed every year.

Over a few drinks, the four mates decided to give it a go. “We thought it would be a bit of fun and we would be raising funds for a good cause,” Ewen Scholz said.

“We grew our mo’s to give the old blokes a go and to increase awareness of prostate cancer and depression,” Justin Dodds said.

“Prostate cancer and depression are men’s health issues that are often swept under the carpet, because no-one wants to talk about it,” Adam Preston said.

Awareness and education are vital because men living in rural areas need to be alerted to the fact that for every 100 men who die of prostate cancer in the metropolitan areas such as Sydney and Melbourne, 121 men die in rural Australia.

Various factors may contribute to this such as lack of awareness and education about prostate cancer, distance from testing and treatment, and limited access to specialists.

Since 2004, funds raised during Movember have enabled the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia in partnership with Cancer Australia to commit $6 million to vital research projects to find a cure and to assist men and their partners affected by the disease.

In 2006 beyondblue was announced as the second beneficiary to Movember increase the awareness of depression which can go hand in hand with a disease like prostate cancer.

Depression has also taken its toll on men’s health. One in six men will experience depression during their lifetime and suicide rates are four times higher in men.

The chance of developing prostate cancer increases as men grow older. Men aged 40 have a 1 in 1000 chance but this increases to a 45 in 1000 chance for men aged 60.

Early detection for prostate cancer can be achieved with a Prostate Specific Antigen blood test and digital rectal examination test.

The Vietnam Veterans Association for Australia says veterans have a 53 percent higher mortality rate from prostate cancer than the average population.

A recently published international study has said that fire fighters have a 28 percent higher risk of prostate cancer.