MP backs Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

Jim Dobbin MP declares 'I'm aware'

The MP for Heywood and Middleton, Jim Dobbin, has shown his support for Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

The annual awareness campaign is organised by the Prostate Cancer Charity, who for the past month have been mobilising people across the county, urging them to declare ‘I’m aware'.

Mr Dobbin showed his support by donning a blue man badge and striking an ‘I’m aware’ pose, in between debating sessions at the House of Commons. 

Mr Dobbin said: “Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. Every year 10,000 men die from prostate cancer and 37,000 men are diagnosed with the disease. 

“We still have a long way to go in terms of understanding the causes and identifying the most effective ways of diagnosing and treating prostate cancer - as well as improving the public’s knowledge of some of the issues faced by people affected by the disease. 

“That’s why I’m backing Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. I hope men and women of all ages and all walks of life get behind the campaign and are able to declare ‘I’m aware’, I am now and I’ll be working to ensure my constituents are too.” 

Dr Sarah Cant, Head of Policy & Campaigns for The Prostate Cancer Charity said: “It’s fantastic that Jim Dobbin MP is showing his support for men and their families affected by prostate cancer. Throughout the month we have been working hard to ensure that everyone knows about prostate cancer, so we’re thrilled that Jim has joined the charge.

“There are 250,000 men living with the disease in the UK, yet many of them are still facing difficulties in accessing the support and information that they need to cope. We want to galvanise people in calling for the improvements in men’s experience of prostate cancer care that we urgently need to see." 

The month concluded with the Charity launching a new campaign at the Houses of Parliament. The campaign, Testing Choices, aims to ensure that all men at higher risk of prostate cancer, including men over 50, those with a family history of the disease and African Caribbean men, understand their right to balanced information and the support they need about whether or not to have a PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) blood test.