The Irish Cancer Society today announced a new initiative called Action Prostate Cancer to raise awareness of the disease.
Lending support alongside Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children Mary Harney was singer Christy Moore who spoke of his experience of knowing men who had been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
There are approximately 1,370 new cases of prostate cancer and 519 deaths from prostate cancer in Ireland every year. Action Prostate Cancer aims to be the leading provider of prostate cancer information and support in Ireland.
Central to the plan is an information service staffed by specialist nurses. They can be contacted by anyone concerned at developing prostate cancer or have questions about treatment options if they have been diagnosed.
Prostate cancer represents 13 per cent of all cancer deaths in males, and the majority of men diagnosed with prostate cancer are aged over 50 years.
Action Prostate Cancer will also highlight the need for men to be treated in specialist centres where they will have access to best practice treatment and care.
Speaking today, Prof John Armstrong, consultant radiation oncologist and chairman of the Irish Cancer Society, said: "One in 14 men living in Ireland will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime, and prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men, after skin cancer.
"There is also a significant variation in the quality of prostate cancer treatment available in Ireland," he said.
"In light of this, the Irish Cancer Society has decided to adopt prostate cancer as a key area of focus during 2006 and hence the launch of Action Prostate Cancer," he added.
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