Press Release

Marathon Charity Partner Cancer Focus NI raising awareness on International Men’s Day 2019

22 Nov, 2019 (Fri)
Credit : Belfast City Marathon

The organisers of the Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon have teamed up with their Official Charity Partner, Cancer Focus Northern Ireland, to raise awareness of male health on International Men’s Day (Tuesday 19th November 2019).

Whilst there has been a growth in females participating over the past few years, the Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon and Half Marathon saw 73% of males participate in the marathon and 59% in the half marathon this year. An average of 55% of males took part across all May events which include a Marathon, Team Relay, 8 Mile Walk and Fun Run.

Around 20,000 are expected to take part across all events on Sunday 3rd May 2020 and will be encouraged to #MakeItCount and run, walk or wheel for Cancer Focus Northern Ireland to help more people survive from cancer.

Figures show that a number of male cancers thankfully now have a higher survival rate such as Testicular Cancer (5 year survival: 97.4%) and Prostate Cancer (5 year survival: 88%) however there is much needed awareness of Lung and Bowel Cancer with Lung Cancer being the big killer. *stats provided by Cancer Focus NI.

Lung Cancer

  • Age Group: 65+
  • Mortality: 551 on average per year
  • Risk of men developing lung cancer is 1 in 22
  • 5 Year Survival: 10.8%

Bowel Cancer

  • Age Group: Men aged 65+ are most at risk
  • Mortality: 228 on average per year
  • 5 Year Survival: 59%
  • If detected early (stage 1) the survival rate increases substantially (97%)

Testicular Cancer mainly affects males aged 15-45 years (around 75% of male runners participating in the Belfast City Marathon event alone are within this age category). Around 62 males are diagnosed in Northern Ireland each year and survival rates are improving as more males adhere to the all-important “check your testicles once a month” message.

On International Men’s Day the Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon and Cancer Focus Northern Ireland are helping raise awareness of these cancers, encouraging you all to check for any of the symptoms (see graphics attached) and please do not hesitate to get checked by your GP.

The 39th Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon takes place on Sunday 3rd May 2020 from Stormont Estate with a full line up of events to suit all levels of fitness including the Marathon and Wheelchair Race, the Team Relay, 8 Mile Walk and Fun Run.

Entries can be made via mobile or desktop at www.belfastcitymarathon.com with an early rate available until Friday 29th November 2019. Final entry will be on 10th April 2020.

The Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon is sponsored by Athletics Northern Ireland, Daily Mirror, Belfast City Council, Better, Cool FM (Downtown Radio and Downtown Country), Translink, Spar, Belfast Live, Framar Health, Tayto and Four Star Pizza. This year’s official charity is Cancer Focus Northern Ireland.

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