Stephen Fry encourages men to use Prostate Cancer UK online tool
Thousands more men are checking their risk of prostate cancer thanks to a campaign backed by actor and comedian Stephen Fry. Fry, who was diagnosed with a tumour in 2018, urged men to use the Prostate Cancer UK online tool in a video posted on Instagram. The campaign, called "Big 180" and supported by bookmaker Paddy Power, has already led to a significant increase in the number of men using the risk checker.
Bookmaker pledges to donate £1,000 for every 180 scored in World Darts Championship
Paddy Power wants to reach a target of 180,000 men using the Prostate Cancer UK online tool. To incentivize participation, the bookmaker has pledged to donate £1,000 to the charity for every 180 scored in the World Darts Championship, up to a possible total of £1 million.
Stephen Fry: Catching prostate cancer in time can lead to a cure
Stephen Fry, who has first-hand experience with prostate cancer, emphasized the importance of early detection. He stated that prostate cancer is a serious disease, with one in eight men diagnosed each year. Fry added, "But I also know that it’s a curable disease if caught in time."
Prostate cancer risk checker used more than 36,000 times since campaign launch
Since the launch of the "Big 180" campaign on November 30, the online risk checker has been used over 36,000 times. This is equivalent to 2,800 uses per day and five times more than during the same period last year. Of the men who took the test, three out of four were found to be at high risk.
Quick and simple test asks about age, family health, and ethnicity
The risk checker only takes a few seconds to complete and asks questions about age, family health, and ethnicity. These factors have been linked to the development of prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer: Most common type in men but high survival rate
Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer in men, with over 52,000 diagnoses in the UK each year. However, three-quarters of men diagnosed with the disease survive for 10 years or more.
Prostate Cancer UK: It is vital that men know their risk
Laura Kerby, chief of Prostate Cancer UK, emphasized the importance of men being aware of their risk. She expressed delight at the significant increase in men using the online risk checker before the start of the World Darts Championship.
Paddy Power: Surprised by the jump in risk checker usage and Stephen Fry's support
Rachael Kane, from Paddy Power, expressed surprise at both the five-fold increase in men checking their risk and Stephen Fry's support for the campaign. Paddy Power is sponsoring the World Darts Championship and partnering with Prostate Cancer UK.
The Prostate Cancer UK online risk checker can be accessed at www.prostatecanceruk.org/risk-checker.
