The Northern Ireland Executive is backing a UK charity's campaign to find men who are undiagnosed with prostate cancer.
Prostate Cancer UK’s campaign comes as the latest statistics show that there are now more than 14,000 men in the UK who need treatment but have not yet come forward for a diagnosis.
It is asking the public to use a 30-second risk checker and share it with loved ones as most men with early prostate cancer don’t have any symptoms.
Men can use the interactive tool to learn more about their level of risk and what action they can take.
Nicola Tallett, Acting Chief Executive at Prostate Cancer UK said: "Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, but the pandemic has meant thousands of men across the UK have not been diagnosed and could be missing out on life-saving treatment.
"Men have been telling us they haven’t wanted to “bother” their GP during the pandemic – particularly if they don’t have any symptoms, which is the case for most men with early prostate cancer. This means men at higher risk of the disease are not having those vital conversations about their risk that can lead to a diagnosis.
"That’s why we want to raise awareness and encourage men in Northern Ireland to take our risk checker to find out more about their risk and what they can do about it."
More than 9,000 men are living with and after prostate cancer in Northern Ireland, and 200 men die from the disease each year.
Health Minister Robin Swann said: “There has been a significant fall in cancer referrals during the pandemic, therefore it’s vital that we do everything we can to raise awareness of the disease to help with early diagnosis and enable treatment to begin.
"Early prostate cancer usually has no symptoms, so it's important that people know their risk factors. We’re encouraging men to use Prostate Cancer UK’s online risk checker and to speak to their GP if they have any concerns."
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