David Ruffley MP has today highlighted the fact that June is the 11th Everyman Male Cancer Awareness Month.

Everyman's campaign is an annual focus on prostate and testicular cancer to increase both awareness and funding for vital research into these cancers.

David said:

'Male cancers, in particular prostate and testicular cancer, do not always get the publicity or the funding for research that is vitally important in combating the disease.

'Men can be embarrassed about to talk about what is a very personal issue, however, I would urge my fellow males across Suffolk to shed their embarrassment this month and join Everyman in trying to raise awareness of male cancers.

'Research conducted by Everyman suggests that only 28% of men check their testicles regularly for signs of testicular cancer. While testicular cancer is still quite rare, there are nearly 2,000 new cases a year in the UK, since 1975 the incidence of testicular cancer has more than doubled.

'Thanks to advances made at the Everyman Centre, testicular cancer is 99% curable if caught early. With treatment, the overall cure rate is over 95%. This underlines the importance of regular checks and visits to our local GP if necessary.

'Prostate cancer has overtaken lung cancer to become the most common cancer in men. Nearly 35,000 men are diagnosed every year in the UK.

Around 10,000 men die from prostate cancer every year in the UK - this is over one death an hour.

'It is equally vital that regular checks are made for prostate cancer. If you are suffering from any of the symptoms associated with prostate cancer visit your GP as soon as possible so that the cause can be diagnosed and any relevant treatment administered.

'This June I hope that men across Suffolk will begin to ignore the embarrassment that surrounds these cancers and ensure they keep a regular eye on their health.'