March for Men to encourage men to avail of regular check-ups for prostate cancer will stop at shipyard at approximately 2.30pm today

The March for Men is an initiative that seeks to promote awareness of Prostate Cancer and encourage men to get a check-up. Today’s march follows a highly successful one held in Stormont in June and will involve the participants walking to each of the main football grounds in the city. Along the way those involved will visit the shipyard for refreshments and to avail of the workers’ amenities.

Unite Regional Coordinating Officer, Susan Fitzgerald, hoped that the visit would encourage older working-class men to make sure they are checked regularly for this cancer:

“It’s great to see this March include a visit to the shipyard occupation alongside the likes of Windsor Park and the Oval. Hopefully this stop-off will speak to those who need the message most – it’s important for men to get a regular check-up. Early diagnosis is vital as catching cancers early enables much higher success rates”.

One of the two workforce shop stewards at Harland and Wolff, GMB member, Paul Beattie, participated in the June March for Men raising £2,188 mostly through donations from workers at Harland and Wolff. Ahead of the visit by the March for Men, Paul admitted that he had received a positive diagnosis for Prostate cancer and urged men to seek treatment.

“This is an important issue for me. Last December, I was told that I had prostate cancer entirely by accident when I had a routine blood test. Thankfully things have gone well for me since then. It’s critical that men over fifty arrange a test with their GP and give themselves the reassurance of knowing that they are in the clear”, Mr Beattie said.