Former Wakefield Trinity Wildcats Super League rugby player Steve Prescott supports National Men's Health Week 2010

For Immediate Release - 8 April 2010

Despite suffering from a rare form of cancer, legendary rugby league footballer, Steve Prescott, continues to follow what he was taught as a child – the more active you are, the healthier you will be. Steve says: "I learned to be active when I was young and have followed this philosophy throughout my life. Why stop now?"

Certainly a diagnosis of pseudomyxoma peritonei, a cancer which spreads through the lining of the abdominal cavity has not held Steve back. Initially given just months to live, after extensive surgery and chemotherapy treatment recent tests have determined the disease is stable.

He says: "I set up the Steve Prescott Foundation in August 2007 to raise money and awareness for the Christie Cancer Hospital in Manchester and Try Assist, which supports rugby league players who suffer serious injuries.

Steve is actively supporting National Men's Health Week (14-20 June 2010) organised by the Men's Health Forum which will encourage men and boys to be more physically active. The Week will focus particularly on men aged over 35 yrs. He advises all men, whatever their state of health, to do any physical and mental activities they can. He says: "I push myself to meet challenges to inspire people. Because I've been fit, I set greater challenges but others can set their own challenges. It may be just walking to the shops.”

Dr Ian Banks, President , Men’s Health Forum said: “After the age of 35, there's a sharp decline in the amount of physical activity men undertake which can be attributed to the pressure of work, long hours, stress, and family commitments. Men should make time for physical activity as it has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety as well as decreasing the risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes and can even improve sexual performance.

“Men's Health Week 2010 will highlight the many ways of staying healthy, even for people who claim to be 'too busy to exercise'. The week is not just about encouraging more men to take part in sport – there are many other ways of staying healthy. Simple things such as using stairs instead of the lift, getting off the bus one stop earlier and walking the rest of the way, cleaning the car by hand rather than going to the car wash and so on.”

To find out more about every aspect of men’s health, all men can visit: www.malehealth.co.uk.

Editor's notes

The Men’s Health Forum, a charity, is the centre of excellence for men’s health policy and practice. For further information about the Men’s health Forum visit www.menshealthforum.org.uk.

More information about the Steve Prescott Foundation can be found at www.steveprescottfoundation.co.uk

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