The incidence of the three most common cancers to affect men - prostate, lung and bowel cancers - are expected to increase in Ireland by as much as 57 per cent by the year 2020.
The prediction is based on statistics from the National Cancer Registry of Ireland and published today by the Irish Cancer Society (ICS) as part of the organisation's annual Men's Cancer Action Week campaign.
The ICS is staging a public awareness campaign this week to raise awareness of the incidence of the common cancers amongst men and to encourage men to attend their GP for regular check-ups.
The aim of the week is to make information available and to ask men to invest in their health in the long term for the prevention of cancer and other illnesses.
While the predicted increase of cancer is largely attributed to an ageing population, the prevalence of smoking among men (estimated at 24 per cent) and with a majority of men (55 per cent) cited as obese or overweight, unhealthy lifestyles are considered a contributing factor to the upward curve.
The figures, which the society described as "startling", point to an increase in prostate cancer of 57 per cent, bowel cancer is predicted to increase by 55 per cent and lung cancer is predicted to increase by 56 per cent by 2020.
Norma Cronin, Health Promotion Manager Irish Cancer Society said, "Risk factors for the development of the common cancers in men are age, smoking, having a family history - especially in bowel and prostate cancer, eating a diet which is high in fat and low in fruit, vegetables and fibre, lack of physical activity, being overweight or obese and alcohol consumption."
Ms Cronin said men should discuss their family history of cancer with their GP who will advise on screening and called on men who become aware of any symptoms that might be related to cancer to discuss these with their GP without delay. "Early detection of cancer gives the best chance of successful outcome and long term survival."