• About Orchid »
• Awareness and Campaigns »
• Awareness Week 2010

Awareness Week 2010

About Orchid Male Cancer Awareness Week

Orchid Male Cancer Awareness Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of male specific cancers – testicular, prostate and penile.

This year the Week will include:

• A survey into awareness of hereditary prostate cancer. Initial results of the survey highlight 53% of UK adults are unaware of the hereditary link to prostate cancer. A new Hereditary Prostate Cancer Factsheet and dedicated awareness posters accompany the survey.
• “What men worry about” - A survey into awareness of testicular and prostate cancer. Initial results of the survey highlight 44% of those interviewed were concerned about male cancer compared to 35% who were concerned with body shape and weight. Over 25% of men interviewed believed the biggest impact male cancer would have is on their sex life.
• The Orchid website will be relaunched with new sections and features.
• A Prostate Cancer Q&A session for patients and their families will be held on the 14 April at Bart’s Hospital. This is your chance to meet the experts and learn more about prostate cancer.
• A postcard campaign supported by dedicated information posters has been distributed to including individuals, healthcare professionals and the business community.
• The fundraising campaign ‘37,000 steps to beat male cancer’ has been launched to encourage everyone to organise events based around the number 37,000. Why not walk for 37 minutes, get 37 friends together for a dinner or bake 37 cakes.
• A 3.7km run will take place on Wednesday 14 April at 5.30pm along the river starting at Paternoster Square. Register today. This event is once again supported by Fitness First.

Who is supporting Orchid Male Cancer Awareness Week?

Across the UK individuals are busy raising awareness of the Week and male cancers. Running information sessions, putting up posters and leaflets, talking to the media about a personal experience of male cancer and fundraising are just some of the activities taking place.

Companies as well are lending their support including Bath Rugby Club who have taken part in a photo shoot to help launch our ‘37,000 steps to beat male cancer’ campaign. On Saturday 17 April they will dedicate their home match against Sale Sharks to the Awareness Week. The team will warm up in Orchid t-shirts and will launch an awareness themed competition at half time.

Manheim Auction (UK) have also featured the Week in their in-house newsletter “360 News” and Manheim staff have displayed posters and leaflets across their 19 sites.

As part of the London Fire Brigade’s health and wellbeing work, quarterly themes cover areas of health and wellbeing. This quarter they are raising awareness of cancer and have chosen to focus on male cancers during Orchid’s male cancer awareness week.On Wednesday 14th April 2010 Orchid provided an information stand in the main atrium of their London Headquarters as their 800 employees arrived in the morning and during their lunch hour. Three information talks were held throughout the day to educate the staff on testicular, prostate and penile cancers, who is most at risk, signs and symptoms to look out for, latest research and experiences of a personal journey. Orchid awareness material will be sent out as part of cancer awareness information packs to their 112 fire stations across London, Orchid leaflets placed in the mobile health unit and the Orchid’s popular film ‘Know your balls check em’ out!’ will be used as part of nurse led briefings at stations via the mobile health unit.

Orchid Male Cancer Awareness Week - In the News

The Week has already been featured in the news and on several healthcare sites including:

• Equip
• Healthcare Promotions
• In4Health
• Kent and Meadway cancer network
• Health Challenge Wales
• NHS Walsall Community Health
• Chemist & Druggist
• G Scene – Brighton Gay & Lesbian Network
• Health Scotland
• Tower Hamlets
• “Over the Counter” Magazine
• “360 News”, Manheim in-house magazine

STOP PRESS

Look out for Orchid on “The One Show” (BBC 1) on the 12 April at 7:00pm and TalkSport’s “On Air” interview on the 12 April from 10-11pm

Visit our Media Centre to view the Orchid Male Cancer Awareness Week press releases