A NEW campaign to encourage more men to check their prostate cancer risk online has launched.
Barnsley Council is partnering with Prostate Cancer UK on the new awareness campaign which is rooted in local stories.
Over the last five years, prostate cancer has been the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in Barnsley. Research also shows that it is regularly being diagnosed in Stages 3 and 4, requiring more aggressive treatment and resulting in poorer health outcomes.
Developed alongside Barnsley Hospital, the new ‘It might not be reyt’ campaign has been designed to highlight how important knowing your risk is and how easy it is to check online.
At the heart of the campaign are videos with Anthony and David, two local men who wanted to put people’s minds at ease about what knowing your risk and getting tested entails.
Anthony was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2019 after he noticed a few symptoms his father had. He has since made a full recovery and got back to doing the things he loves, like cycling, and shared his story to help more people think about their risk and find out sooner.
David lives and works in Barnsley and is a champion of the campaign, encouraging men to “not hide behind a stone” by speaking about prostate cancer and getting checked.
The videos can be viewed on https://www.youtube.com/user/barnsleymbc
Working with Prostate Cancer UK, the council has also created a Barnsley-specific version of their online risk checker. This tool makes knowing your risk simple, taking only 30 seconds and involves answering three simple questions about your age, family history and ethnicity.
Check your risk online today by visiting prostatecanceruk.org/risk-barnsley. After completing their quick questions, the risk checker will give you advice on what you can do next.
Councillor Wendy Cain, Cabinet Spokesperson for Public Health and Communities, said: “We’re committed to helping our communities get the right support to live happier, healthier, longer lives. We want to help more men get the possible treatment to beat prostate cancer, which is why we’re delighted to be partnering with Prostate Cancer UK on this new campaign.
“Checking your risk online is quick, easy and could save your life, as the sooner you know, the quicker you can start getting the treatment you need. Please check your risk online and encourage your friends, family members and colleagues to check too.
“By working together and sharing this message across our communities, we can give prostate cancer the chop in Barnsley. I would like to thank Anthony and David for championing this campaign as well as our health partners, including Prostate Cancer UK, for all their support.”
Early prostate cancer doesn’t typically come with any symptoms. That’s why knowing your risk is so important, as the sooner you know, the easier prostate cancer is to treat.
There are a number of key risk factors which can make you more likely to get prostate cancer, such as your age and ethnicity. Family history is important in understanding your risk, as you are two and a half times more likely to get it if your father or brother have been diagnosed with it.
