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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.

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.

-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. 

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”.

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

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. 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”.