Supporters: Ignorance must be put aside
Monday, 10 Mar 2008 11:48
Men with concerns about their health have been urged to visit their doctor by supporters of this year's Prostate Cancer Awareness Week.
Stephen Gately, member of the boyband Boyzone, said he had been shocked to discover that one man every hour dies from prostate cancer.
"Just like me, many men are scared about going to the doctor but this isn't just about us," he added.
"I would encourage all men to think of their loved ones and overcome their embarrassment and visit their doctor if they have any concerns."
Ex-England rugby player Kyran Bracken described prostate cancer as "an unspoken disease".
A survey conducted for the Prostate Cancer Charity found that more than a fifth of males were frightened to see their family doctor in case they did have cancer and 16 per cent admitted they were concerned they might need a rectal examination during an appointment.
Twenty-eight per cent of men thought it was normal for males their age to get up many times in the night to urinate.
"It is time that as men we put any ignorance aside, look after our health and know about prostate cancer," Mr Bracken commented.