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Get Men Talking because your health is your wealth

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 17:49:00 GMT

Marie Keating Foundation launches eighth annual Men’s Health month

Marie Keating Foundation co-founder and ambassador Ronan Keating was joined by men of all ages to launch the Foundation’s eighth annual ‘Get Men Talking’ men’s health campaign which once again will run throughout March. The theme of this year’s campaign is your health is your wealth and aims to promote early detection as the first line of defence when it comes to some of the key male cancers – testicular, prostate and bowel cancer.

Throughout March, the Foundation will also focus on the importance of being vigilant about men’s health issues and reducing the risk of developing cancer through positive lifestyle choices.

The Foundation will encourage people to visit its dedicated and interactive website www.getmentalking.ie which has been developed specifically to focus on men’s cancers and offers practical information and advice. Importantly, it gives users the chance to Ask an Expert about any concerns they may have in complete confidence. People can also log onto the Get Men Talking facebook page to download various avatars to show their support. This service, as with all of the Foundation’s services, is provided entirely free of charge and affords users the opportunity to speak up about symptoms which they may feel are embarrassing.

Lillian McGovern, CEO of the Marie Keating Foundation, said “We are very aware of the fact that many men are dealing with harsh realities in relation to financial burdens, fear of job loss and concerns about the future. Now, more than ever, the old adage ‘your health is your wealth’ rings true and throughout March we will endeavour to arm as many men as possible with the information they need to either prevent the occurrence of cancer or to aid early detection.”

Ronan Keating said “I think this campaign has grown year on year and we are now finding ourselves in a position where the demand on our services has never been greater. Men can feel like they need to put on a brave face and not show weakness when it comes to their health. Sometimes it takes huge courage to speak up if you feel something is wrong, we are here to help men all over Ireland to do that, we need to continue to Get Men Talking. “

Throughout the month of March, the foundation’s Mobile Information Units will be focusing on men’s health issues. The Units will be visiting men’s groups and workplaces in March, bringing with them the facts about the male cancers and the benefits of talking more openly about health issues. The service is provided in an informal way and is completely free of charge. Log on to GetMenTalking.ie for more information. Log on to www.mariekeating.ie to arrange for a Mobile Unit to visit your organisation or to see if there will be a Mobile Information Unit visiting a community near you.

ENDS

Media contact:

Sue Lawlor, Communications Manager, Marie Keating Foundation slawlor@mariekeating.ie 01 6283726/ 086 6053853

Notes to the Editor:

Dr Mark Rowe is available for interview
Dr. Rowe has published a number of national guidelines and articles in the Irish College of General Practitioners Journal ‘Forum’. He has worked with national media outlets on several occasions promoting Men’s health issues and Health Design Leadership. He has also given seminars and has acted as guest speaker at conferences on the topic of ‘Men’s Health’ and 'General Practice Development in Ireland' and 'New Understandings of Health Leadership'. Dr. Mark Rowe also holds the position of medical advisor to the Irish Construction Workers Health Trust.

2012 Get Men Talking Campaign Launch

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 13:23:00 GMT

Dr Mark Rowe, men’s health expert and Gavin Teehan, husband, father and Testicular cancer survivor helped to launch this year’s campaign by appearing on TV3’s Ireland AM this morning. More news to follow including updates on today’s launch event with guest speaker, Ronan Keating.

Newstalk's Different Voices three generations of Irish men share their story of being diagnosed with Cancer

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 12:37:00 GMT

This week on Newstalk's Different Voices three generations of Irish men share their story of being diagnosed with, recovering from and living with cancer.

Chris Donoghue, diagnosed with non Hodgkin lymphoma at 23, Fionn Davenport, diagnosed with testicular cancer at 35 and John Kelleher, diagnosed with prostate cancer during his early 60's talk openly and frankly about their diagnosis, treatment, reactions of family and friends and life after cancer.

Different Voices, Saturdays 7am - 8am, Sundays 9pm - 10pm on Newstalk 106 - 108 fm.

Photo's from the Launch Lunch

Wed, 02 Mar 2011 10:55:00 GMT

Prof John Reynolds, Christy Cooney, Rory Duffy, Lillian McGovern, Denis Darcy and Dr. Alan Smith

Pictured at annual Marie Keating Foundation Get Men Talking Men’s Health Lunch which was proudly supported by Astellas are Lillian McGovern and Christy Cooney, President of the GAA.

Don’t you think it is time to “Get Men Talking”?

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 21:48:00 GMT

-Marie Keating Foundation launches seventh annual Men’s Health month

Dr Mark Hamilton was on hand to lend his support to the Marie Keating Foundation ‘Get Men Talking’ annual men’s health campaign which once again will run throughout March.

The campaign aims to tackle the stigma that is still associated with talking about conditions such as testicular and prostate cancer and give men a voice when it comes to their experience of male cancers. Throughout March, the Foundation will focus on the importance of being vigilant about men’s health issues and reducing the risk of developing cancer through positive lifestyle choices.

Research has shown that men are much more likely to go on-line to get health information before choosing to visit their GP. The Foundation launched an interactive website called GetMenTalking.ie last year which has proven to be very popular, especially with men who are otherwise unlikely to initially speak directly to a medical professional about any concerns they have about their health.

Getmentalking.ie has been developed to specifically focus on men’s cancers. One in eight men in Ireland are at risk of developing prostate cancer, one in twenty are at risk of developing bowel cancer, one in twenty four are at risk of developing lung cancer and one in two hundred and twenty nine are at risk in relation to testicular cancer. On the website men can ‘ask the expert’, talk to one another, post content to the site and access information on the various types of men’s cancer.

Lillian McGovern, CEO of the Marie Keating Foundation, said “As we are all aware, wonderful progress has been made when it comes to talking about breast cancer, we really feel that it is hugely important to highlight the cancers that affect men and to put men’s health issues higher on the agenda also.”

Throughout the month of March, the foundation’s Mobile Information Units will be focusing on men’s health issues. The Units will be visiting men’s groups and workplaces in March, bringing with them the message of early detection and the benefits of talking more openly about your health. The service is provided in an informal way and is completely free of charge.

Log onto GetMenTalking.ie for more information.

Log onto www.mariekeating.ie to arrange for a Mobile Unit to visit your organisation or to see if there will be a Mobile Information Unit visiting a community near you.

The Marie Keating Foundation trying to “Get Men Talking” this March

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:43:00 GMT

As part of their Men’s Health Month, supported by Marks and Spencer, the Marie Keating Foundation hosted their third annual men’s health lunch at Harvey Nichols Restaurant in Dundrum Town Centre.

The Foundation’s month-long campaign was first held in March 2005 and since then has grown in size and impact. The campaign focuses on men and their wellbeing in reducing their risk of developing cancer.

One in nine Irish men are at risk of developing prostate cancer, one in nineteen are at risk of developing bowel cancer and one in two hundred and five are at risk in relation to testicular cancer.

Armed with the knowledge that men are increasingly unlikely to visit a doctor or engage with the health services, the Foundation has decided to develop a campaign which aims to literally “Get Men Talking”. Getmentalking.ie has been developed to specifically focus on men’s cancer. Through the use of YouTube and Facebook, the Foundation’s hope is to encourage more men to talk about their health. On the website men can ‘ask the expert’, talk to one another, post content to the site and access information on the various types of men’s cancer.

As part of the month’s activities, over one hundred men gathered for an entertaining lunch attended by rugby buff Brent Pope and addressed by men’s medical expert, Mr Thomas Lynch. Among the attendees were men who have been affected by cancer and were happy to share their experience with all those in attendance.

Ambassadors for the campaign to “Get Men Talking” are Ronan Keating and Gerry Ryan. Mr Ryan has supported the campaign by recording a radio ad which is currently ‘on air’. Speaking in advance of the lunch Ryan commented “my Dad died unnecessarily because he ignored all of the warning signs”. Ronan Keating stressed the importance of early detection in the fight against cancer. “If the only message men take away from the lunch today is this significant fact, then we will have achieved a lot”.

Get your head out of the Sand - Ronan Keating in the Irish Sun

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 19:32:00 GMT

This article appeared in the Sun on Wednesday. Thanks to the guys there for their continued support.

It is really important for us guys to take our heads out of the sand and start talking about our health. For years now, women are very comfortable talking about their health and the huge stigma that was breast cancer is thankfully now gone. For that reason, we have seen an increase in the number of women surviving the disease and this is just great. But us guys, unfortunately have a long way to go. We know that early detection is key to saving lives but whether out of embarrassment or fear, we seem to be very slow about having ourselves checked out or even discussing our fears with our GP. We, in the Foundation did a piece of research on this last year and it highlighted that men either took an ostrich approach to their health or took action when concerned only on the instruction of their family. It is this mindset that we need to change.

We are using the latest digital technology through a dedicated website in encouraging men to tell their stories in a safe and non-threatening way. We are using UTube, Twitter and Facebook to get our message across and our hope is that many men will engage with us, either by telling us their story or asking questions.

We are delighted that Gerry Ryan has agreed to support the campaign through radio advertisement which will air throughout the month of March. Hopefully using men like Gerry, whose father died from prostate cancer will act as an example to all men in becoming more aware of their health. At the end of the day, its all about awareness in beating cancer.

So come on guys, log onto getmentalking.ie

Visit our Facebook page to read the full article.

The Marie Keating Foundation wants to “Get Men Talking” this March

Sat, 27 Feb 2010 18:17:00 GMT

March 1^st signals the start of Men’s Health Month 2010 for the Marie Keating Foundation, supported by Marks and Spencer.

One in nine Irish men are at risk of developing prostate cancer, one in nineteen are at risk of developing bowel cancer and one in two hundred and five are at risk in relation to testicular cancer.

Getmentalking.ie has been developed to specifically focus on men’s cancer. With the use of YouTube and Facebook, the Foundation’s hope is to encourage more men to talk about their health. On the website men can ‘ask the expert’, talk to one another, post content to the site and access information on the various types of men’s cancer. During the month the Foundation will also host a men’s health lunch, attending will be medical experts and celebrities all united with the same message – get men talking! Throughout the month their community information service will be focussed on men’s health. It will be visiting men’s groups and workplaces bringing with them the message of early detection and the benefits of talking about your health.

“Using the latest digital technology through a dedicated website is our approach in encouraging men to tell their stories in a safe and non-threatening way” said Lillian McGovern, she continued “power of this channel of communication cannot be underestimated and our hope is that many men will engage with us using this method”.

Ambassadors for the campaign to “Get Men Talking” are Ronan Keating, who launched the campaign, with the support of Marks and Spencer. Information on men’s cancer will be made available through Marks and Spencer stores throughout the month of March and merchandise will be on sale in-store. Gerry Ryan has supported the campaign recording a radio advertisement which will air throughout the month of March.

It is hoped that men will log on to the site during the month to take part in this campaign. To encourage men to log on, the Foundation will be running online advertising and doing online ‘give-aways’ to encourage traffic onto the site. Lillian went on to say that “We believe that the real ambassadors for this campaign are real Irish men telling their stories and sharing experiences and where better to do it than at www.getmentalking.ie”.