Local men going to great lengths for Movember

WEST Cork men have answered the call from the Irish Cancer Society to take part in Movember – with hair-raising results. 

Male members of The Southern Star’s staff, along with the Lough Hyne Lappers and Skibbereen Lions Club are embracing the global fundraising  initiative for prostate and testicular cancer which will see them ditch the razor for the month in aid of Cancer Connect. This is a free, transport service for people from this area receiving cancer treatment in city hospitals.

Each year over 3,300 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in Ireland which means that approximately one in seven men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. However, with improvements in treatments the five year survival rate for prostate cancer is now over 90%.

Kevin O’Hagan, Cancer Prevention Manger with the Irish Cancer Society said: ‘Rather than insisting on a test, we would strongly urge all men over 50 to simply take some time to have a conversation with their GP. Men over 50 are more at risk of getting the disease and even if they are asymptomatic, it is worth having that chat, as early prostate cancer often does not have any symptoms at all.’

Since 2008, Movember Ireland has funded over 30 men’s cancer initiatives, with the Irish Cancer Society, ranging from grants for patients to ground-breaking research to improve outcomes and quality of life for the one in seven Irish men who will develop the condition. 

*We’d love to hear from businesses or groups who are backing Movember. Email us at [email protected].

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