Movember is over... and Decembeard is now upon us.

Men around the country are being encouraged to grow out their beards this month to raise funds for bowel cancer research.

Their partners are also being asked to support their efforts, and accept a few weeks of extra fur.

Bowel Cancer New Zealand chairwoman Mary Bradley said bowel cancer is our most common cancer, and one of our biggest killers.

She said it kills almost as many people as breast and prostate cancer combined.

"It kills 1200 people a year, or 100 people a month, and it affects men and women equally."

Ms Bradley said men who already have beards can adjust the challenge.

She's encouraging them to decorate it, dye it, cut it back, grow it out or do something a little bit different.

"Have fun with it, jazz it up, dye it, shave it into a fun shape. Anything goes this year."