SWINDON CANCER APPEAL: Prostate Cancer Awareness Week was launched on Monday to raise the profile of the condition, dubbed the silent killer.

Figures released this week show that prostate is now the most common form of cancer in men, having overtaken lung cancer for the first time.

Last year, 25,000 new cases were diagnosed, compared to 23,500 cases of lung cancer.

Yet despite the rising number of cases, a survey has revealed that 90 per cent of men do not know what the prostate gland does.

Raising awareness of the condition is one of the most important public health issues in the country.

John Neate, chief executive of the Prostate Cancer Charity, said: "Awareness Week plays a key role in making the public more aware of prostate cancer.

"It is now the most common cancer diagnosed in men and a major health issue.

"Increasingly vigorous and effective action is needed to ensure the growing number of men diagnosed with prostate cancer get a proper deal."

The publicity campaign was launched in London by Who Wants To Be A Millionaire presenter Chris Tarrant.

A number of celebrities have been affected by the disease.

Former Goon Sir Harry Secombe died from the disease in 2001.

Entertainer Bob Monkhouse and Wiltshire-based actor George Baker, who starred in the Ruth Rendell Mysteries, have also been diagnosed as having the condition.

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