A Personal Mission for Men’s Health
Charles Voth, Academic Director, School of English Language Studies at Niagara College.
For Charles Voth, Academic Director in the School of English Language Studies, men’s health is personal. Having lost both his father and grandfather to prostate cancer, staying on top of his own health always felt essential. Nearly four years ago, that vigilance proved crucial when he was diagnosed with a mildly aggressive, stage-two form of the disease.
Despite hesitation from some urologists, Charles pushed for the biopsy that caught it early. Three years later, he remains cancer-free and is emerging from the fog of post-surgery side effects.
Now, Charles is channeling that experience into advocacy and inviting the NC community to join him this Movember.
Why Men’s Health Matters
For centuries, medical research centred on men’s bodies, but open conversations about men’s health have lagged far behind. While women’s health has gained long-overdue attention and advocacy, men often still struggle to talk openly about their physical or mental health.
Topics like suicide, depression, and reproductive health can carry feelings of shame or weakness. Many men avoid doctor visits and preventive screenings are often delayed or dismissed.
About Movember
Movember, the non-profit raising awareness and funds for men’s health, has been working to reduce the stigma around talking about suicide and men’s mental health, testicular cancer, and prostate cancer. This charity funds research, grants, and other men’s health initiatives. In 2024 alone, they awarded $2.1 million for six Canadian projects to improve equity in prostate cancer care.
Join Team NC
Charles has created a Niagara College Movember team, with a community goal to raise $3,000 by November 30.
How to participate:
- Register as an individual participant at ca.movember.com
- Join our team: movember.com/t/Team_NC
- Support the cause through:
- Growing a moustache during November
- Walking or running 60 km throughout the month
- Making a donation
- Asking friends, family, and connections for pledges or donations
- Sharing your fundraising page and efforts on social media
Women are welcome and encouraged to participate as allies.
Continuing the Conversation
Charles hopes to help men at Niagara College get comfortable discussing their health, without jokes or hesitation. Whether you want to learn more about early detection, risk factors, or simply talk about what makes you uneasy, he welcomes the conversation and can be reached at: [email protected]
