10,000 people sought information on prostate health with 82% of enquiries from men over last three years

- John Giles launches Prostate Cancer Awareness Week 2009 -

(Monday, 27th April, 2009@ 0900hrs) Action Prostate Cancer (an Irish Cancer Society initiative) celebrates its 3rd anniversary by launching its Prostate Cancer Awareness Week today. Since its inception in April 2006, 10,000 people sought information and advice on prostate health, with 82% of those enquiries from men. This illustrates that more than ever, men living in Ireland are taking positive action when it comes to their health.

Under the banner of Action Prostate Cancer, the Prostate Cancer Information Service (PCIS) is staffed by specialist nurses where anyone can ring (Freefone 1800 380 380), visit (www.cancer.ie) or call into the Irish Cancer Society offices at 43/45 Northumberland Road, Dublin 4 to discuss their concerns about developing prostate cancer or have their questions answered if they have been diagnosed. Men Against Cancer (MAC) is a support group for men with prostate cancer. It was established in partnership with the Irish Cancer Society and provides men and their relatives and friends with information, advice and emotional support from time of diagnosis and for as long as it is needed.

Typical calls from undiagnosed men relate to a raised PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) blood test which can point to the presence of prostate cancer, waiting times for tests and investigations and questions on prostate cancer. Typical calls from diagnosed men relate to treatment options, especially the merits of hormone treatment and/or quality of life issues related to the consequences of treatment.

Prostate Cancer Awareness Week (PCAW) will comprise a national radio advertising and public relations campaign and the publication of a new magazine ‘MANHOOD’. John Giles, soccer analyst and commentator has kindly agreed to front the awareness campaign. The key objective of the week will be to encourage men approaching 50 years and onwards to be more prostate aware, to open discussions about their risk of developing prostate cancer with their General Practitioners, to consider the merits of screening and to call our Prostate Cancer Information Service (Freefone 1800 380 380) for advice, information and support.

A free DVD guide has also been produced specifically for patients with prostate cancer and features short video presentations on prostate cancer, treatment options, dietary advice, lifestyle tips and support & information. The DVD is available through the Prostate Cancer Information Service (Freefone 1800 380 380).

Speaking at the launch of Prostate Cancer Awareness Week 2009, Sonya Bowen, Prostate Cancer Information Service Nurse, Irish Cancer Society said, “The key objective of Prostate Cancer Awareness Week will be to encourage men over 50 years to be more prostate aware, to open discussions about their risk of developing prostate cancer with their General Practitioners, to consider the merits of screening and to call our Prostate Cancer Information Service (Freefone 1800 380 380) for advice, information and support.”

The latest data from the National Cancer Registry of Ireland (www.ncri.ie) states that 2536 new cases of prostate cancer were diagnosed in 2007. The National Registry also estimates that there will be a 275% increase in the incidence of prostate cancer by 2020, which means that 3,768 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in 2020. 69% of men diagnosed with prostate cancer survive for five years or longer(1)

For further information on activities taking place during the week, to speak to a specialist cancer nurse or to obtain your copy of MANHOOD or any other publications or factsheets on Erectile Dysfunction, Urinary Incontinence and Hormone Therapy that are available from Action Prostate Cancer, please contact the Prostate Cancer Information Service on Freefone 1800 380 380 or e-mail: www.cancer.ie or via live cancer chat which is available at www.cancer.ie/chat (Monday –Thursday 9am – 7pm, Fri until 5pm).

(1) Survival for eight major cancers and all cancers combined for European adults diagnosed in 1995 – 1999: results of the EUROCARE-4 study

Prostate Cancer Information Service
Freefone 1800 380 380 (Monday -Thursday 9am - 7pm, Fri until 5pm)
E-mail: prostate@irishcancer.ie
Chat at www.cancer.ie/chat