Initiative launched encouraging people to 'fight prostate cancer whilst fuelling up'

Isle of Man Anti-Cancer Association and UK charity Orchid have joined forces with EVF

The Isle of Man Anti-Cancer Association has joined forces with UK-based cancer charity Orchid on a new campaign highlighting prostate cancer.

It will roll out for eight weeks across Ellan Vannin Fuels (EVF) garages on the Isle of Man in a bid to educate men, and their families, on the key signs to look out for.

The campaign will see petrol pump ads and surrounding posters draw parallels between filling up your car and the symptoms of the disease.

Chairman Malcolm Clague told Manx Radio they want to encourage men to come forward sooner:

Over 55,100 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in the UK each year, which is around 151 men per day - and around 12,000 men die annually.

Common symptoms include difficulty in starting to urinate, straining or taking a long time while urinating, weak flow or feeling that your bladder has not emptied fully.

With messaging such as ‘Feel like you’re struggling to squeeze out every last drop - you could have a problem prostate’ – the ads are designed to make potential prostate cancer patients, as well as their friends and family who often play a key role in spotting symptoms 'stop, smile, and most importantly, think'.

Orchid's Chief Executive Ali Orhan said: "We wanted to create something that not only speaks to men who might be experiencing these symptoms, but could also alert partners, family members or even friends to spot when something might be wrong.

"By using an analogy as relatable as refuelling your car, we’re hoping to get people talking, and ultimately, take action if something might be wrong. Symptoms can often go unnoticed or be mistaken for less serious conditions, which is why this campaign is so important."

The Isle of Man campaign has been funded by the Isle of Man Anti-Cancer Association with support of EVF who have donated advertising space for the campaign at their garages.

And you can hear more from Malcolm on the campaign in our latest Newscast available now: