International Men’s Health Week focuses on early detection and treatment of health difficulties such as prostate cancer in men. “The call to men (and those who support the health of men) is The Action Starts With You,” said IFA Farm Family and Social Affairs Chair Alice Doyle.
“Prostate cancer is the most common cancer for men in Ireland, with about 3,890 diagnosed with prostate cancer each year. It is primarily a disease of ageing with nine cases in 10 diagnosed in men aged 55 or older.”
She said that although there is no guaranteed way to prevent prostate cancer, staying healthy as you age, or working to reverse existing health problems, can lower the risk. She encourages male farmers to visit their GP if they are concerned about prostate cancer.
Irish Cancer Society Cancer Prevention Manager Kevin O’Hagan said that Men’s Health Week provides an opportunity to encourage men, even if they have no symptoms, to have a conversation with their doctor about their prostate health. One of the real difficulties with the disease is that it often doesn’t cause any symptoms until it becomes advanced.
“The best chance we have to treat and cure this disease is to catch it early, before symptoms develop. Therefore, we would encourage men from the age of 45 to speak to their doctor about their prostate health,” he said.
Men’s Health Week runs until 19 June, 2022.