Green Bay Packer shaves beard for Movember prostate cancer awareness

It's common for men to ignore their health and wait until the last minute to see a doctor.

But an international movement looks to change the face of that mindset. Giving it a running start, is Green Bay Packer John Kuhn.

\"For this, I'm going to put my money where my mouth is,\" he said. \"I'm going to start with a clean slate and go completely bare and get my facial hair removed.\"

It's all apart of Green and Gold Movember.

\"Movember is about growing facial hair for the month of November in an effort to heighten awareness of importance of prostate cancer, screening and early detection,\" said Dr. William See, urological oncologist with Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Kuhn is teaming up with the local hospital to help spread that message. Doctors say 30,000 men die each year from prostate cancer, but, it's one of the most curable forms of cancer if detected early.

\"This is a really fun way to remind everybody to get screened and that it can save a life,\" continued Kuhn.

Little by little, the Packer running back proudly gave up his warm coat, revealing a younger, clean look he says he hasn't had since high school. Some say he looks like an NFL rookie. After his first look in the mirror, Kuhn agreed.

\"I do look like a rookie,\" he said. \"If that's the case, maybe the Packers will be inclined to keep me around for several more years then.\"

That's good news for Packers fans, but whatever gets the conversation started is key.

\"Heightening awareness for prostate cancer, much as the NFL has successfully done for breast cancer,\" said Dr See, \"I think would be a great benefit to our society.\"

Just like men wear pink, women are joining the Movember movement, thanks to fake mustaches.

\"We work in the cancer center so anything that brings attention or awareness we try to be a part of,\" said physician assistant Katie Zellner.

Of course, Kuhn expects his teammates to back him up in the kick-off for this month long commitment.

\"Hopefully by the time we play the Patriots at the end of November, I will see a whole stands of guys with full beards trying to draw awareness for this great cause,\" said Kuhn.

Kuhn's Movember progress will be tracked through social media.

The public can support the cause too by submitting pictures of their facial hair, real or fake. One winner will be chosen to meet Kuhn later this year.

You can learn more about how to participate by checking out the official Green and Gold Movember Facebook page.