Press Release - Belfast City Marathon - 11/18/19

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

        Marathon Charity Partner Cancer Focus NI raising awareness 
                     on International Men's Day 2019

The organisers of the Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon have teamed up 
with their Official Charity Partner, Cancer Focus Northern Ireland, to 
raise awareness of male health on International Men's Day (Tuesday 19th 
November 2019).

Whilst there has been a growth in females participating over the past few 
years, the Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon and Half Marathon saw 73% 
of males participate in the marathon and 59% in the half marathon this 
year.  An average of 55% of males took part across all May events which 
include a Marathon, Team Relay, 8 Mile Walk and Fun Run.

Around 20,000 are expected to take part across all events on Sunday 3rd May 
2020 and will be encouraged to #MakeItCount and run, walk or wheel for 
Cancer Focus Northern Ireland to help more people survive from cancer.

Figures show that a number of male cancers thankfully now have a higher 
survival rate such as Testicular Cancer (5 year survival:  97.4%) and 
Prostate Cancer (5 year survival:  88%) however there is much needed 
awareness of Lung and Bowel Cancer with Lung Cancer being the big killer. 
*stats provided by Cancer Focus NI.

Lung Cancer
Age Group:  65+
Mortality:  551 on average per year
Risk of men developing lung cancer is 1 in 22
5 Year Survival:  10.8%

Bowel Cancer
Age Group:  Men aged 65+ are most at risk
Mortality:  228 on average per year
5 Year Survival:  59%
If detected early (stage 1) the survival rate increases substantially (97%)

Testicular Cancer mainly affects males aged 15-45 years (around 75% of male 
runners participating in the Belfast City Marathon event alone are within 
this age category).  Around 62 males are diagnosed in Northern Ireland each 
year and survival rates are improving as more males adhere to the 
all-important "check your testicles once a month" message.

On International Men's Day the Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon and 
Cancer Focus Northern Ireland are helping raise awareness of these cancers, 
encouraging you all to check for any of the symptoms (see graphics 
attached) and please do not hesitate to get checked by your GP.

The 39th Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon takes place on Sunday 3rd May 
2020 from Stormont Estate with a full line up of events to suit all levels 
of fitness including the Marathon and Wheelchair Race, the Team Relay, 8 
Mile Walk and Fun Run.  

Entries can be made via mobile or desktop at www.belfastcitymarathon.com 
with an early rate available until Friday 29th November 2019.  Final entry 
will be on 10th April 2020.

The Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon is sponsored by Athletics Northern 
Ireland, Daily Mirror, Belfast City Council, Better, Cool FM (Downtown 
Radio and Downtown Country), Translink, Spar, Belfast Live, Framar Health, 
Tayto and Four Star Pizza.  This year's official charity is Cancer Focus 
Northern Ireland.

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