The JIB is supporting an industry-wide campaign to raise awareness of the risks and issues surrounding prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men and accounts for over a quarter of all cancers in men in the UK.
In the UK, over 47,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year – that is 130 new cases every day. There has been a 16% increase over the last 10 years.
In the UK more than 10,500 men die from prostate cancer each year. One man dies every hour, accounting for 13% of all male deaths.
1 in 4 black African-Caribbean and black African men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in the UK – that’s double the overall 1 in 8 risk faced by all men in the UK.
Prostate cancer mainly affects men over the age of 50 and risk increases with age. Black men are increasingly being diagnosed from age 40.
Early detection may prevent death from prostate cancer although there are few symptoms at early stage.
Prostate Cancer UK has produced some excellent advice and literature, including handy, wallet-sized, fold-out leaflets and full posters, which you can request for free via Prostate Cancer UK’s Publications Page .
Don’t forget to encourage your employees to attend Occupational Health Assessments when invited. JIB members can receive full funding for Occupational Health Assessments (OHA) for all operatives that participate in the JIB Benefits Scheme.
Each year the medical cover provided by the JIB Benefits Scheme helps to fund £10,000s towards the treatment of prostate cancer. Early detection of illnesses such as cancer can be important in improving the outcome of treatment. Health Assessments could help to raise awareness of health issues not previously known about, enabling action to be taken and helping to minimise their risk of disease.
For further information on health assessments received via the JIB Benefits Scheme please contact 0330 221 0241.
