Do any men you know who are normally clean-shaven go the whole month of November without shaving their beards or mustaches?

There’s a reason for that.

The month has come to be known as No-Shave November, a time when participants raise awareness of cancer prevention by embracing their hair, which many cancer patients lose, and letting it grow wild and free. People are encouraged to donate the money they would have spent on shaving and grooming to educate about cancer prevention, save lives and aid those fighting the battle, according to the initiative’s website.

All money collected during the official campaign is given to Fight Colorectal Cancer, St. Jude’s Research Hospital and Prevent Cancer Foundation.

This month is also a good time to remind residents about the importance of regular cancer screenings and of early detection. According to the National Cancer Institute, early detection is important because when abnormal tissue or cancer is found early, it may be easier to treat.

In 2018 in the U.S., there will be an estimated 1.73 million new cancer cases, according to the American Cancer Society. Every day, that’s approximately 4,750 new cases. The most prevalent cancer types are breast cancer, lung cancer and prostate cancer.

In Minnesota, there are 31,270 new cancer cases expected this year, the Cancer Society states.

If you notice something different with your body, don’t wait to get checked out. Prevention and early diagnosis are key.

We hope you remember this year-round, not just this month.