Let the Movember mustache growing begin as Movember 2015 officially starts today. For the next 30 days, men worldwide will be growing facial hair, particularly mustaches, to raise awareness of various men’s health issues like prostate and testicular cancer.

As previously reported by the Inquisitr, women play a part in Movember as well. Women have encouraged the movement since its start. According to polls taken every year, women overwhelmingly say they are more likely to date a guy with a mustache as it displays traits many are interested in. Women see men with a Movember mustache as more fun, generous, and rugged than men without.

Happy first day of #Movember, gentlemen. Let the growing commence! https://t.co/s2S94WdC2S — Amber Sersen (@AmberSersen) November 1, 2015

Like many great ideas, Movember started in 2003 with two friends drinking in a bar. Travis Garone and Luke Slattery were having beers at the Gypsy Bar in Melbourne, Australia when the topic of fashion came up in conversation. The two began to wonder, “Why had the mustache disappeared from fashion trends?”

The idea of Movember came out of that conversation and they found 30 other guys ready to take the mustache growing challenge.

At first, there was no cause attached to the idea. However, as the Movember mustache movement caught on, it became partnered with the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia. It has since grown into a worldwide phenomenon and the month of November is dedicated to inspiring men to live happier and healthier lives.

According to the Movember Foundation website, the organization is dedicated to raising awareness of men’s health issues as well as promoting a higher quality of life.

“The Movember Foundation is a global charity committed to men living happier, healthier, longer lives. Since 2003, millions have joined the men’s health movement, raising $650 million and funding over 1,000 programs focusing on prostate cancer, testicular cancer, poor mental health and physical inactivity.”

Now, the foundation is one of the largest and most generous of any men’s health charities. They have essentially raised the bar when it comes to fighting serious health issues by promoting awareness programs and increasing investment in men’s health programs. They also promote healthier living through increasing physical and mental activity.

The Movember Foundation says that men’s health is in dire crisis and men are dying too soon. Diagnosed cases of prostate and testicular cancer in men are increasing at an alarming rate and expected to almost double by 2030.

The foundation is diligently working to involve everyone at every level of the community as well as businesses and lawmakers.

“This is not just an issue for men. In order to tackle the problem and work towards a world where future generations of men are not faced with the same issues as today, we need to take action at both an individual and community level.”

Every year, the Movember Foundation partners with companies to help raise awareness. For Movember 2015, Harry’s, Barbasol, and Birchman Box will make a commitment to the cause, according to a report by the Examiner.

Harry’s will be offering a limited edition razor with part of the proceeds going to the foundation. Barbasol will make Movember a part of a promotional campaign to win an Ultimate Theater System with Movember mustache participants receiving extra chances to win. Birchbox Man is creating a custom mustache maintenance box specifically for men have an interest in raising awareness for men’s health.

This year, a 30-day fitness challenge has been added to the Movember campaign. Known as MOVE, the program challenges men and women to take the initiative to be more active and MOVE everyday in November. It recommends various ideas such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator or getting off the subway two stops earlier.

#Movember is almost here! Sign up now to Grow, Give or MOVE and support men's health http://t.co/k4yOVXkrFq pic.twitter.com/C4WeMDqSSw — Movember USA (@Movember) October 2, 2015

Despite its humble beginnings, Movember has done tremendous good raising awareness and supporting various men’s health projects. More than five million “Mo Bros” and “Mo Sistas” from 21 countries are expected to participate this year.

Movember 2015 has started and millions of men are growing facial hair to show their support. Not only are men growing a Movember mustache to raise awareness, the Movember Foundation is asking men to get actively involved with the organization to help raise money to support various men’s health programs.

[Photo by Jan Hetfleisch/Getty Images]