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UCF Encourage Men to Talk To Save Lives
By Derval Keenan, 9/8/2004 12:03:18 PM
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The Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) are encouraging men to be more ?health aware? and to talk about their health concerns in the run up to Men?s Health Week, 14th-20th June 2004.
Research carried out by UCF has shown that men remain reluctant to talk about cancer or seek professional help as many of them think of it as a ?death sentence?. If they do seek medical advice it is often after a long delay and in many cases as a result of a partner taking the initiative and making an appointment.
The reality is very different and the good news from the recent Northern Ireland Cancer Registry Report is that survival rates are improving all the time and the number of males being diagnosed with cancer is decreasing by around 41 cases each year.
Arlene Spiers, Chief Executive, UCF, stated, ?Many cancers can be treated successfully if patients report any suspicious symptoms at an early stage. Traditionally men have been reluctant to talk about their health and during Men?s Health Week we are urging men to pick up the phone and ring the UCF cancer helpline. At present less than 1 in 4 of callers to our free confidential cancer helpline are male and we want to encourage men to contact us if they have any questions or concerns. Our Helpline (0800 783 33 39) is confidential and is staffed by specially trained Cancer Information Officers who provide information and advice on all aspects of cancer to anyone seeking cancer related information. We want more men to avail of this service which also provides important information on how to adopt a more healthy lifestyle which can help avoid up to two thirds of cancers.?
Local celebrity John Daly joined UCF at an event at the Apollo Call Centre in Belfast, which has around 1,000 employees, many of them young males, to spread the message of health awareness among men. ?Communication is so important in life especially when it comes to health concerns. Men need to talk about any concerns they have relating to their general health. The Ulster Cancer Foundation offer a confidential source of information in an easily understandable manner and can provide the public with health tips on how to recognise early symptoms of cancer and what to do about them.?
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Notes to the editor:
· For males the most common cancers are cancer of the trachea, bronchus, lung, prostate and testis.
· On average 556 males are diagnosed with cancer every year (NI Cancer Registry Report 1993 ? 2001)
Early detection signs of the common male cancers:
Symptoms of Lung Cancer ? Shortness of breath, persistent coughing, unexplained weight loss, blood stained sputum and repeated chest infections.
Symptoms of Bowel Cancer ? Rectal bleeding, unusual changes in bowel habits, colicky or bloated feeling in the stomach or feeling of incomplete bowel empting.
Symptoms of Prostate Cancer - Difficulty passing urine, increased frequency of urination, incontinence, blood or discharge in the urine.
Symptoms of Testicular Cancer ? Lump or swelling in the testicle, pain or feeling of heaviness, lower abdominal pain or dull ache in the groin.
For further information please contact Nicola Smyth, PR Manager, Ulster Cancer Foundation Tel: 028 9066 3281 or 07703 321643
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