Celebrities Mark 10 Years of the Everyman Campaign
24 May 2007
Ten celebrities have joined the fight to cross out male cancer to launch the 10th annual Everyman Male Cancer Awareness month this June. Stars including Jason Donovan, Linford Christie, Martyn Lewis and some of the boys from reality tv show Shipwrecked, are showing their support for the campaign that aims to raise awareness of, and funds for research into, prostate and testicular cancer – diseases that kill over 10,000 men each year.
Nigel Havers says: “Join me in supporting Everyman Male Cancer Awareness Month this June. There are lots of ways to get involved whether you choose to get active and run the Keep Your Eye on the Ball 5K, or take a stroll in the park for The Big Stride. By taking part you can help Everyman raise awareness of male cancers and vital funds needed for more research.”
The facts on male cancer speak for themselves: prostate cancer kills one man every hour in the UK and almost 32,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. It is now the most common cancer in men, overtaking lung cancer. Testicular cancer is the most common cancer amongst young men aged between 15-45, but if caught early it has a 99% cure rate.
The Everyman Campaign was set up ten years ago as the incidence of prostate and testicular cancers was rising dramatically and more funds were desperately needed for new research into the diseases. The Campaign also aimed to get men talking about health issues, something they are notoriously bad at doing. A decade on, despite a number of breakthroughs by scientists working at The Everyman Centre – Europe’s first and only centre dedicated to research into male cancer, much more still needs to be done.
Professor Colin Cooper, head of the Everyman Centre says: “Over the last ten years, we have learnt a lot more about the genetic causes of prostate cancer but we still desperately need to find better ways to diagnose and treat the disease. The good news is that the treatment for testicular cancer has dramatically improved. But the earlier the disease is caught, the higher the survival rate – so awareness is key. That is why we are calling on everyone to show their support for Everyman this June.”
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To request photography, arrange an interview with a cancer expert or to speak to someone about their experience of male cancer, call Anna Capleton, anna.capleton@icr.ac.uk or Victoria Shillito, victoria.shillito@icr.ac.uk, at the Everyman Press Office on 020 7153 5312 or 07721 747900 out of hours.
Celebrity quotes:
Martyn Lewis: “I think it’s really important that, as men get older, they look after their health and make sure they are aware of the signs and symptoms of prostate cancer. I attend regular check-ups with my doctor and would advise other men to do the same. I support the Everyman Campaign because I think it is critical that we raise awareness of male cancers among men, and increase their chances of finding out quickly if they have become affected by them.”
Nigel Havers: “Join me in supporting Everyman Male Cancer Awareness Month this June. There are lots of ways to get involved whether you choose to get active and run the Keep Your Eye on the Ball 5K, or take a stroll in the park for The Big Stride. By taking part you can help Everyman raise awareness of male cancers and vital funds needed for more research.
“Prostate and testicular cancers affect about 34,000 men every year in the UK. It is critical that men of all ages are aware of the signs and symptoms of these cancers and visit their doctors if they have any concerns.”
Linford Christie: “The Everyman Campaign raises awareness of the signs and symptoms of prostate and testicular cancer. All men need to find out more about these cancers so they have a better chance of earlier diagnosis which can lead to more effective treatment. It is important we all support Everyman in their efforts to beat male cancer.”
Sir Terry Wogan: "As men get older they're more likely to be affected by prostate cancer. It's shocking that in the UK alone almost 32,000 men are diagnosed with the disease every year and yet it is something we rarely talk about.
"Much more research is needed to discover the causes of prostate cancer and to find better treatments. Making a donation during Everyman Male Cancer Awareness month helps fund this vital work and ultimately saves lives."
Notes to editors:
The photos include: Jason Donovan, Marlon Harewood, Linford Christie, Nigel Havers, Iwan Thomas, Scott Maslen, some of the boys from Shipwrecked, Johny Pitts, Gary Wilmot and Martyn Lewis
About Everyman
Everyman is The Institute of Cancer Research’s campaign to raise awareness of, and funding for research into, testicular and prostate cancer at The Everyman Centre – Europe’s first and only centre dedicated to male cancer research. For more information visit: www.everyman-campaign.org
From 24 May, Topman pin badges will be available at Topman stores nationwide and online at www.topman.com costing £2 each with all profits going to Everyman.
Colin Cooper's position is funded by the The Freemasons’ Grand Charity.
