Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in Ireland. More than 4,000 men are diagnosed each year and 620 still lose their lives to the disease. Yet when caught early, prostate cancer is highly treatable, with survival rates exceeding 93%.
That’s the urgent message behind the Marie Keating Foundation’s Stand Up for Your Prostate campaign, now in its 9th year and supported by Astellas in association with MSD.
Running throughout Prostate Cancer Awareness Month this September, the campaign takes a bold, humorous approach to breaking down stigma, encouraging conversations and prompting men to take a simple first step: a chat with their GP about a PSA blood test.
At the heart of the campaign is the message: ‘No B_m Hole Needed’. The creative plays on long-standing misconceptions about prostate checks, reassuring men that initial testing may be simple, quick and non-invasive.
Helen Forristal, Urology Nurse Specialist and Director of Nursing Services at the Marie Keating Foundation said: “The reality is that early detection often starts with a straightforward PSA blood test – and that’s more than likely it. No awkward exams, no back-door business. If men remember just one thing from this campaign, it’s that checking your prostate health doesn’t need to be a pain in the bum. Humour is helping us spark conversations that can literally save lives.”
The Foundation is urging men to speak to their GP about a PSA test from age 50, or from 45 if there is a family history of prostate or breast cancer.
Helen continued: “We want men to feel confident talking about their prostate health – understanding the signs and symptoms but also knowing that prostate cancer can often have no warning signs at all. That’s why starting the conversation with your GP is so important. A PSA blood test is simple, quick, non-invasive, and takes less than five minutes – yet it could be the most important step you ever take for your health.”
For more information, please visit www.mariekeating.ie
Meet Us at the National Ploughing Championships!
Tuesday, 16th September – Thursday, 18th September 2025
Make sure to visit the Marie Keating Foundation stand at the Ploughing Championships! Our nurses will be on-site with:
- Trusted information on prostate and other cancers
- Booklets and resources on healthy lifestyle choices
- Guidance on reducing your cancer risk
We’d love to see you there!