'Movember' prostate cancer awareness movement sees effort from Brentwood exercise studio

BRENTWOOD, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- We all know that October is breast cancer awareness month, but come November many guys grow mustaches for what is known as Movember, a movement designed to get men talking about prostate cancer.

"There's still pockets of people who are not inclined to talk about it and that's kind of dumb really," said Kevin Kehoe of Westchester.

Kehoe is a commercial pilot who gets screened annually, but said his dad had prostate cancer and kept silent on the issue. While it may be standard for men of that era, many men today also find it hard to discuss.

"It takes a while to know what the treatment is going to be and to what extent if the cancer's spread, until you get those answers," said Tim Pearce of Torrance.

When Pearce had cancer he found it hard to be verbal about it.

"It's tough on the family. Sometimes they suffer more than anybody," Pearce said.

But a Brentwood exercise studio is trying to change that.

"It's our second annual Bro 60, and we had 24 participants we raised $1,500," said Janet Crown, owner of Burn 60.

Burn 60 recently held a Movember fundraiser with proceeds going to Reimagine, an organization that beyond medical help. They help friends and family learn about the other half of care.

"While people have access to unbelievable medical care in this country, did you know that fewer than 3 percent of people have any kind of support for the social and emotional issues that pretty much everyone who has cancer faces," said Kristin MacDermott, founder of Reimagine.

MacDermott says the program features nine, 75 minute online classes to help friends, family and cancer patients learn how develop hope, balance and inner strength.

The program costs $399 which includes working with a therapist and offers a lifetime membership in their online community.

Movember started in Australia in 2003 with less than 30 people. There are more than 800 programs in 21 countries today, with the Movember Foundation estimating 99 percent of those who get involved in the campaign have a conversation about health.

It's good news, as approximately 15 percent of men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point during their lifetime.

"If this can just push one guy to get the doctor, we've done our job, and that's our goal," said Crown.