Irish men ignoring weight risks, cancer society study finds

Obesity-cancer link: Two-thirds of men in Ireland are overweight and 44 per cent are in denial that this is a problem, research carried out by the Irish Cancer Society (ICS) has found.

In a national study of 600 men conducted for the ICS, only 22 per cent surveyed admitted they had a weight problem, and none of them agreed they were obese.

This is despite national data showing that 46 per cent of males in Ireland are overweight and a further 20 per cent are classed as obese.

What causes the ICS concern is the growing number of men becoming obese every year, bringing with it an increased risk of these men developing cancer.

It is this link between cancer and obesity that is the focus of this year's Men's Cancer Action Week which runs until Sunday.

Speaking at the launch of the campaign yesterday, Dr Ian Banks, president of the European Men's Health Forum, said men had to take control of cancer risk factors, such as their weight.

"Experts are only really beginning to understand the complexities involved in how diet effects cancer risk. The key advice is be a healthy weight, enjoy physical activity and reduce alcohol intake," he said.

Obesity is defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a body mass index of 30 or above and overweight as a BMI of between 25 and 29.9. A person's BMI is calculated by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by the square of their height in metres.

Using a BMI measurement may not be appropriate for everyone as some athletes, for example, may have a larger muscle mass and therefore be technically overweight.

So the WHO also recommends a waist measurement to measure the fat stored around the stomach.

Men are advised to keep their waist measurement below 37 inches.

Overweight or obese men have a significantly higher risk of developing certain cancers. It is directly behind 11 per cent of all colo-rectal (bowel) cancers, 37 per cent of oesophageal cancers and a quarter of all kidney cancer cases.

More than 6,500 men in Ireland are diagnosed with cancer each year, with prostate, bowel and lung the most common form of cancers. While health professionals are seeing a decline in lung cancers, due to a reduction in the number of men smoking, cancers related to obesity are on the increase.

Reducing consumption of red meat and increasing fresh fruit and vegetables in a man's diet can significantly reduce the risk of prostate and bowel cancer.

To reduce the risk of lung cancer, men who smoke have to quit as this is the cause of 95 per cent of lung cancers. More than 1,000 men develop lung cancer each year and roughly 950 will die from the disease over the same period.

ICS chief executive John McCormack said men wanting to address being overweight do not have to make dramatic changes.

"We are not asking men to go on extreme diets or become athletes overnight. It can be as simple as making small differences to what you eat. The key is that men take this issue seriously."

He called on men to become more aware of their health and to see their GP regularly.

To raise awareness of the link between men's lifestyles and the risk of cancer, the ICS is running an information campaign this week including a roadshow which will visit Dublin, Galway and Cork.

Men seeking more information on cancer risks can contact the National Cancer Helpline Freefone 1800 200 700 from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday and until 9pm on Tuesday.