It’s time to face up to cancer in men

Blue September, the international campaign which encourages men to face up to cancer, launches in England and Wales today with the support of a wide range of sportsmen, celebrities, and politicians as well as health and sports organisations.

Blue September is needed because the Men’s Health Forum’s statistical analysis shows that men in the UK are about 40% more likely than women to die of cancer. They are about 60% more likely to develop one of the cancers that affects both men and women, such as lung or bowel cancer. Men are also about 70% more likely to die from one of these cancers.

Overall, 154,000 men a year are diagnosed with cancer in the UK and 81,000 die.

Blue September supports the Men’s Health Forum charity and is the first campaign to increase men’s awareness of all cancers in England and Wales and the lifestyle choices men can make to reduce their risk.

Blue September also encourages men to seek medical advice as soon as possible if they have a worrying symptom.

MHF CEO Peter Baker said: 'It’s important that more men know about cancer and when to seek help if they think they may have a problem. Too many men are dying unnecessarily because they take risks with their lifestyles and ignore symptoms.'

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: 'Too often we men take an ostrich like approach to our health, ignoring persistent symptoms in the hope that somehow they will miraculously resolve themselves and disappear. But the evidence shows that getting things checked out right away makes sense. Catching any problems early means they are easier to treat - and with better outcomes - and if your GP gives you the all clear then you don't need to waste energy with unnecessary worrying.'

Health minister Paul Burstow MP added: 'Preventing cancer and diagnosing cancer earlier is one of our key priorities in aiming to achieve cancer outcomes that are amongst the best in the world. Blue September is a great way of encouraging men and their families to adopt healthier lifestyles and know the signs and symptoms of cancer.'

Blue for a day

Even a die hard red, Liverpool and England footballer Steven Gerrard has turned blue to show his support for Blue September. He said: 'Putting the blue paint on our faces was a light hearted way of raising a serious message. We can all do our bit to face up to men's cancer. If you think something's not quite right, go to your GP and check it out sooner rather than later.'

There's more on the ther big names from sport, health and television backing Blue September on malehealth.co.uk.

Throughout September, there will be Blue September events taking place at football and rugby grounds, workplaces, hospitals and other venues across England and Wales.

• More on Blue September campaign on the MHF website
• More on cancer from malehealth.co.uk
• More information about Blue September and the people and organisations backing it can be found at www.blueseptember.org.uk.