Cancer Focus asks 'Are men getting the message?'

The conference was held at the Dunsilly Hotel, Antrim, to mark Men’s Health Month in June, and to update healthcare professional and individuals with an interest in men’s health and cancer issues.

 More than 100 delegates attended including the voluntary, community and private sectors as well as local councils and the five health trusts. They were welcomed by Cancer Focus NI’s Head of Cancer Prevention Gerry McElwee.

“We aim to empower men to improve their health, make healthier choices and access appropriate support services. This year our conference focused on how men receive, understand and act on information. We examined a range of approaches and asked what works best when we communicate with men on these important health issues,” Mr McElwee said.

Professor Mark Lawler, Queen’s University Belfast, spoke to delegates on the theme ‘Manning up to cancer – male empowerment to overcome cancer inequalities’.

He said: “Inequality in access to cancer care is a significant problem. The European Cancer Concord, led from Belfast, launched the European Cancer Patient’s Bill of Rights in the European Parliament on World Cancer Day earlier this year. This Bill of Rights has all party support from our three MEPs and is a catalyst for change, allowing cancer patients to address the significant inequalities that they experience every day.

“Health is not a luxury, health is a right. In this Men’s Health month, we focus on the particular challenges that male cancer patients and their families face and investigate potential solutions that may improve outcomes for men with cancer.”  

Well-known author and broadcaster Christy Kenneally talked on the subject ‘Say yes to life – living well with cancer’. He said: “Traditionally, men have been encouraged to 'take it like a man'. The inference was that a real man doesn't feel any of the normal feelings of doubt, worry, fear, and so on. This has led many men to 'park' rather than 'process' their feelings.

“We know that unresolved anger, self-doubt, and negative self-talk can block a man’s pathway to wellbeing. When the block appears insurmountable, the option to give up is all the more tempting.”

Other speakers were Professor Gerard Hastings, University of Sterling, Dr Karen Doherty, Cancer Focus NI counsellor, Dr Una Lynch, Sonrisa Solutions, and Geraldine Campbell, Big Lottery Fund.

 Cancer Focus NI’s purpose-built ManVan - a mobile drop-in unit which visits local communities, clubs and workplaces to offer men free health checks - was also on site. For further information or to book the ManVan visit www.manalive.co or email [email protected].

 The conference is part of the Cancer Focus NI ManAlive project based in the Southern Trust area and is funded by the Big Lottery.

 For more information about Cancer Focus NI go to www.cancerfocusni.org, follow the charity on Facebook and Twitter or call 028 9066 3281. If you have any concerns about cancer call the charity’s free helpline on 0800 783 3339.