Freddy Paillard has proudly worn his mustache for a week already. The sports coach specializing in martial arts was quick to launch his “Movember”. Cancer awareness month, like “Pink October”this time it is a question of targeting male, prostate and testicular cancersas well as the subject of mental health in men. The objective is to shed light on these diseases and other pathologies, to know them better, to understand them, to ensure better care.
Common cancers
It was in November 2017 that Freddy Paillard grew his mustache for the first time: “We discover Movember through this fun aspect, I did it with colleagues, and then we become interested and we discover that we all have people around us who are concerned“ relates the coach. Indeed, Prostate cancer is most common in the male populationas breast cancer is most represented in women. In 2022, there were 58,000 new cases in France. Testicular cancer is rarer, but it mainly affects young menbetween 15 and 49 years old according to the League Against Cancer.
Break a taboo
“We talk about subjects below the belt, about the health of one’s intimacy, so it’s very poorly taken into consideration by men” deplores Freddy Paillard, “so we have to talk about it, we have to raise awareness”. For prostate cancer, the first good practice is to think about screening. For testicular cancer, there is also an easy-to-perform self-palpation exercise, “but young people must learn to do it” specifies the coach.
The scourge of suicide
Freddy Paillard does not omit the subject of mental health: “Three out of four suicides are committed by men” he recalls. “Movember” also aims to encourage men to speak out, especially when they are feeling bad, to try to curb this alarming statistic. “As part of my training activity I am required to support young people who are going through difficult times, and I have to explain to them that sometimes I don’t feel well, that it’s not serious, but that we still have to do something to prevent it from getting worse.“ adds Freddy Paillard. And he plans to take advantage of the month of November to pass these messages on to as many people as possible.
Move for a good cause
His goal? “Sweat!” he replies, enthusiastically. Throughout the month of November, Freddy Paillard offers to take on sporting challenges based on the donations received in his kitty. “Movember”available on the site of the same name. In increments of 20 euros, “I will do challenges inspired by the world of fitness, drawn at random from a wheel of fortune” promises the person concerned.
Open events
But it’s not going to move on its own. Freddy Paillard organizes sporting events open to the general public throughout the Eure department: for example on November 24, with a twelve-hour solidarity race on the Gaillon athletics field “where everyone can come run or walk with me for as long as they want”. And on December 1st, an introduction to martial arts at the Bruno-Benedetti sports complex in Bourgtheroulde: “People can come as a family, to relax, the slogan is to have fun for a good cause!”.
All dates and information on events can be found on Freddy Paillard’s Movember page. In parallel with the sporting challenges, the coach also leads discussions every week around the event, “Mo’talk”, in local businesses.
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