Improvement in prostate cancer survival

The most recent figures from the National Cancer Registry of Ireland (NCRI) show that approximately 3,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in Ireland every year, with 78 of those being in Clare.
The positive news is that survivorship figures are improving with 93% of men surviving five years post diagnosis. This year, in keeping with its ethos of making cancer less frightening by enlightening, the Marie Keating Foundation’s Get Men Talking health campaign will put particular emphasis on survivorship and how men can go on to live full and whole lives following cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Speaking at the launch of the campaign, Lillian McGovern, CEO of the foundation, said, “The incidence of prostate cancer in Ireland is similar to that of breast cancer but the breast cancer issue definitely seems to garner more attention.
“Through our Men’s Health Month, we at the foundation hope to help to remedy that.
“By catching the disease early, you give yourself more treatment options and that can be the key to survivorship and life after cancer.”
The foundation’s campaign will encourage people to visit www.getmentalking.ie, a dedicated and interactive website which has been developed by the foundation specifically to focus on men’s cancers.
Importantly, it offers users an online Ask an Expert facility so that they can voice any concerns they may have in complete confidence, providing men with an informal opportunity to speak up about symptoms which they may feel are embarrassing.
Throughout the month of March, the Foundation’s nurses, working through its mobile information units, will be focusing on men’s health issues.
The units will visit over 40 men’s groups, communities and workplaces nationwide. The service is provided in an informal way and is completely free of charge.
Log on to www.getmentalking.ie for more information or visit www.mariekeating.ie or call 01 6283726 to arrange for a mobile information unit to visit your organisation or to see if there will be a Mobile Information Unit visiting a community near you.