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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.