Everyman - Funding research to cross out male cancerEveryman is the UK's leading male cancer campaign
Urgent Need for Action on Prostate Cancer
24 May 2007
There is a desperate need to raise awareness of prostate cancer according to new research by Everyman, the UK’s leading male cancer campaign. Three-quarters of men do not know, or are unsure of, the signs and symptoms of prostate cancer according to a survey of more than 2,500 men carried out to launch the 10th Everyman Male Cancer Awareness Month in June.
In a week where Desmond Tutu revealed that his prostate cancer has returned, the campaign is calling for more funding for prostate cancer research and is urging men to be aware of the signs and symptoms of the disease. Prostate cancer is the most common male cancer in the UK; nearly 32,000 men are diagnosed each year and one man an hour dies of the disease.
Alarmingly, the survey found that nearly one-third of men questioned would be too embarrassed to speak to their male friends about their prostate cancer concerns and only one in ten thought men were as informed about male health issues as women. Professor Colin Cooper, Head of The Everyman Campaign said: “Prostate cancer kills more than 10,000 men in the UK each year. It is imperative that we bring the disease to the forefront of cancer awareness and research. We need to not only continue to raise awareness but also continue to drive funding into this area. Prostate cancer research is ten years behind research for other major cancers, and this is largely due to lack of funding.”
Over the last ten years, there has been a great deal of progress in our knowledge of prostate cancer but further research is desperately needed. The good news is that the treatment for testicular cancer has dramatically improved. But the earlier the disease is caught, the higher the survival rate – so awareness of male cancer remains key.
Sir Terry Wogan comments: "Much more research is needed to discover the causes of prostate cancer and to find better treatments. Making a donation during Everyman Male Cancer Awareness Month helps fund this vital work and ultimately saves lives."
Everyman was set up by The Institute of Cancer Research in 1997. June is the 10th Annual Everyman Male Cancer Awareness Month when the Everyman Campaign has its focus of activity to raise awareness of, and funding for vital research into, prostate and testicular cancer. The Campaign is aiming to raise £500,000 for its Everyman Male Cancer Research Centre, the only dedicated male cancer research centre in Europe.
- ends - For further information and interviews please call Nadia Ramsey or Hannah Crabtree at the Everyman Press Office: Tel: 020 7153 5359 / 5430 Out of hours: 07788 427 856
Celebrity Photographs and Quotes The following celebrities have joined the fight to cross out male cancer. For photographs and supporting quotes of Jason Donavan, Nigel Havers, Linford Christie, Martyn Lewis, Marlon Harwood, Scott Maslen, Iwan Thomas, Johnny Pitt and the boys from reality show Shipwrecked please contact the Everyman press office.
Notes to editors:
Everyman: Funding research to cross out male cancer
Everyman is a campaign run by The Institute of Cancer Research. A charity, Not for Profit. Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered in England No. 534147. 
|