By Petro Mkandawire

Blantyre, November 19, Mana: Executive Director for Cancer Survivor Quest. Chikhulupiliro Ng'ombe has urged Malawian men to join hands in observing, No Shave November to bring awareness and raise money towards the fight against prostate cancer.

In an interview with Malawi News Agency on Monday, Ng'ombe said when men decide not to trim their hair or beard during this month; it will give them a glimpse of what patients going through prostate cancer experience, which should motivate them to help raise awareness on the disease.

"We need to hold hands to fight cancer. We need a holistic approach, and we need everyone in the fight whether through corporate, individual, groups, organization or government sector to ensure that we have holistic care which ensures more people survive from cancer," said Ng'ombe.

No Shave November is a month that calls for men to keep their hair and beards unshaved as one way of raising cancer awareness, according to Ng’ombe who added that No Shave period will end on November 30.

He said the period also provides room for men and women to spare money they would spend on barbershops or hair salons to have their hair done to donate to organizations that sensitize the public on cancer prevention

Ng’ombe added that the grouping of cancer survivors has also involved youths to take an active role in the No Shave November campaign to raise awareness on social media platforms to mobilize funds to fight prostate cancer among men.

One of the advocates, John Mwale said he has been participating in the campaign at least five years consistently, symbolizing solidarity in the fight against cancer.

“The fight against cancer fight is too huge to fight alone, we, therefore, need to come in to support patients and cancer survivors and join forces that assist in preventing cancer. Everyone has a role to play in dealing with cancer,” Mwale added.

No-Shave November was founded in 2009, to raise awareness in the cancer fight, mobilizing support for the cause.