30% of men are not aware of main cancer symptoms

A THIRD of Irish men are not aware of the symptoms of the most common forms of male cancers, while more than half have done nothing in the past two years to detect signs of the disease.

The Irish Cancer Society (ICS) said health is “not a priority” for most men who tend to believe cancer is something that will never happen to them. Figures of ICS consumer research were published to launch the annual Men’s Cancer Action Week which aims to encourage men to get more health check-ups and reduce their risk of cancer.

The research showed that a third of men did not know the symptoms of prostate, bowel and lung cancers. Young urban dwellers were the least knowledgeable.