Download Embargoed until 00.01, March 1 Ref: NR0711 Page 1 of 3 Prostate

News Release
Embargoed until 00.01, March 1
Ref: NR0711
Date: 25 February 2011
Prostate Cancer In Focus – Esteemed
Photographer Backs Awareness Month
Jason Bell, one of Britain's most successful portrait photographers of stars on both sides of
the Atlantic, has created a stunning series of photographs to support The Prostate Cancer
Charity.
Bell’s striking images are the centre piece of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, which aims
to raise awareness of the most common cancer in men affecting over 250,000 men and their
families across the UK.
Featuring a selection of people connected to the cause, from men living with prostate cancer
and families affected by the disease, to a range of recognisable faces, including television
presenter, Julia Bradbury, footballer-turned-pundit, Mark Bright and rugby player, Kyran
Bracken, Bell’s photographs are based upon the Charity’s distinctive blue man logo, with each
subject replicating the blue man’s stance of arms proudly outstretched. The images, set
against an innovative sky background, are designed to support the overall concept of the
campaign of a celebration of awareness, and the call for people to declare ‘I’m aware’.
Jason Bell said:"It was great to be involved with such a dedicated bunch of people in the fight
against prostate cancer. I hope that my efforts really do help to make more people aware of
the disease."
Julia Bradbury is backing the campaign as her father, Michael, was diagnosed with the
disease: "I was aware of prostate cancer, but thought it probably won't affect our Dad - as I'm
sure many daughters and sons do. It was a chance discussion with my uncle, who had been
recently diagnosed, that prompted me to ask Dad if he'd been tested. He hadn't and the
results were not what we wanted to hear. He has had an operation now and is making a good
recovery. Thank goodness we talked about it and I hope that this Prostate Cancer Awareness
Month will get many more people thinking and talking about this disease too," she said.
Kyran Bracken said: “So many of us will be touched by cancer in our lifetime, yet some forms
of cancer are more widely spoken about than others. This Prostate Cancer Awareness Month,
I am proud to add my voice to the thousands of others who will be taking to the streets to
declare ‘I’m aware’. It is time for us to join together and show our support for the 250,000 men
and their families living with prostate cancer in the UK so that they can get the support and
information they need to help them cope with the impact of this disease.”
The images, made all the more poignant by the real life experiences of many of the people
featured, will be used in a high-profile advertising campaign across digital, print and outdoor
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in
men in the UK. 37,000 men are diagnosed with
prostate cancer every year and one man dies
every hour of the disease.
Page 1 of 3
media, as well as in thousands of information packs, posters and other materials, which an
army of volunteers, healthcare professionals and supporters will distribute and display. Every
year, 37,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in the UK - and it is a disease which kills
one man every hour.
Phil Kissi, 53, from London, is one of fourteen people to be captured by Bell for the campaign,
along with his wife Linda. Phil was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2006. Phil said: "I had
not even heard that African Caribbean men have an increased risk of developing prostate
cancer, until I happened to hear that on a television programme. I went to the doctor straight
away for a test – and it turned out I did indeed have the disease. It scares me to think that I
could have carried on without knowing anything about prostate cancer, despite the fact that it
is the most common cancer to be diagnosed in UK men. Luckily, I caught the cancer in time
and had good treatment, but it saddens me to think that others may not have this chance,
which is why I’m supporting Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. I just want everyone to be
aware.”
The Prostate Cancer Charity's Chief Executive, John Neate, said: "There are 250,000 men
living with prostate cancer in the UK, yet many of them are still facing difficulties in accessing
the support and information that they need to cope with the disease. This March we are
hoping to make sure that everyone knows about prostate cancer and we are calling on people
up and down the country to join us in declaring 'I'm aware'. Jason’s stunning photographs will
help us spread this important message to thousands of people.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
ABOUT PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

Prostate Cancer Awareness Month is an annual health awareness campaign
organised by The Prostate Cancer Charity.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK. Despite recent
improvements in prostate cancer services, many men are still subject to a legacy of
neglect, ranging from difficulties in diagnosis through to limited access to information
and support to help them cope with the impact of treatment for the disease.
Throughout March, The Prostate Cancer Charity is calling on people to join the charge
and declare ‘I’m aware’.

Thousands of individuals and groups across the UK will join forces to show that they
are aware of prostate cancer. There are numerous ways to get involved, from staging
an information day, taking part in a Day of Action to holding a fundraising event.

Marks & Spencer, which has raised over £700,000 for The Prostate Cancer Charity in
the past five years, is backing Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. People are urged to
visit their local store to show that they are aware of the fight surrounding the most
common cancer in men.

Anyone wanting to participate in Prostate Cancer Awareness Month can request an
information pack. Please call 020 8222 7141 or email [email protected]
or visit the campaign website www.prostateaware.org.uk

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in men in the UK. Every year
in the UK 37,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer. One man dies every hour of
prostate cancer in the UK.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in
men in the UK. 37,000 men are diagnosed with
prostate cancer every year and one man dies
every hour of the disease.
Page 2 of 3

African Caribbean men are three times more likely to develop prostate cancer than
white men.

The Prostate Cancer Charity is striving for a world where lives are no longer limited by
prostate cancer. The Charity is fighting prostate cancer on every front - through
research, support, information and campaigning.

For further information contact: Vivienne Francis, Nikki Nagler or Claire Blackburn on
0208 222 7136/7670/7687. Out of hours contact: 0798 432 5001. Email:
[email protected] or [email protected] or
[email protected]
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in
men in the UK. 37,000 men are diagnosed with
prostate cancer every year and one man dies
every hour of the disease.
Page 3 of 3