BLUE SEPTEMBER NEWS

Merimbula News Weekly

Last Updated: Tuesday 28th of September 2010 at 02:32:23 PM

Blue September is a campaign to raise awareness that one in two NSW men will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime and men are being encouraged to seek advice from their GP.

Men are 1.5 times more likely to be diagnosed with cancer than women and lifestyle factors such as diet, alcohol and lack of physical activity are driving the increases, experts say.

Healthy habits and early detection can play a role in reducing these numbers.

In NSW four cancers account for 64 per cent of new cancers in men: prostate (32 per cent), bowel (13 per cent), melanoma (10 per cent) and lung (10 percent).

Other cancers that commonly affect men and which are often preventable through lifestyle choices include cancers of the kidney, liver, head, neck, oesophagus and bladder.

This suggests that being careful about weight, stopping tobacco use, reducing alcohol consumption and living a healthy lifestyle may help reduce the likelihood of being diagnosed with some cancers.

Men are being asked to be more aware of their health and take simple steps to avoid a cancer diagnosis or get advice from their GP if they have any concerns.