New figures released today show that nearly 300 men contact Irish cancer services every month with prostate cancer concerns.
The statistics, published by the Irish Cancer Society, show that 5,830 men have contacted the Prostate Cancer Information Service over the last 20 months since it was established in April 2006.
A further 685 men attended six public meetings in Dublin, Cork, Donegal and Galway during the period.
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in Irish men after skin cancer.
Under the Action Prostate Cancer initiative, specialist nurses provide an expert information service answering enquiries about the illness via telephone, email and in person at the Irish Cancer Society's Dublin office. ( www.cancer.ie)
Queries range from diagnosis tests and questions on prostate cancer to treatment options and quality of life issues after treatment.
More than 500 men die from the disease each year, with approximately 1,370 new cases diagnosed annually - accounting for 13 per cent of all cancer deaths in men in Ireland.
The majority of men diagnosed with the illness are over 50 years old.
John McCormack, chief executive of the Irish Cancer Society, said: "Raising awareness of prostate cancer and encouraging men to look after their health is one of the key aims of the Action Prostate Cancer initiative.
"With a range of attention-grabbing advertising on TV, radio and print, the response has been significant and we look forward to building on that in 2008," he added.
Three fact sheets on Erectile Dysfunction, Urinary Incontinence and Hormone Therapy have been reviewed and approved by the Irish Society of Urology and will be distributed through clinics and hospitals.