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There are some stark statistics when it comes to cancer, one in three people will be affected by cancer in the course of their lives.Μύ There's a group in North East Lincolnshire which is dedicated to a helping people identify the risks of a range of cancers. They are part of the Early Presentation of Cancer Symptoms Programme. The good news is that many cancers can be discovered and treated in their early stages to help lengthen and improve the quality of life for those diagnosed with the disease.

Getting the message across that some cancers can be detected in their early stages is a challenge. One particular area is the incidence of prostate cancer in older men. To find out how the message that early diagnosis is vital when it comes to prostate cancer, the Late Show welcomed a number of people to the Radio Humberside studios to talk about their work.

The Hainton, Heneage and Park team members who came in were Julie Grimmer ,she is the Cancer Project Manager for North East Lincolnshire Care Trust Plus, and leads the Cancer Collaborative in the area.Μύ Margaret Cross is someone who lives in the area and was invited to become involved to help spread the word. Members of Margaret's family have suffered illness through cancer and Margaret felt drawn to help others become more informed about what can be done to help prevent unnecessary suffering.

Gordon Smith is the Vice Chairman of the Steering Group and although retired is keen to get the message across. He says nationally there are 8,000 deaths due to prostate cancer and it's possible to save some of those lives. He stresses that none of the team members are doctors or nurses, they are what he calls, "ordinary people" who are well informed to give advice in a friendly and informative way to those that need it. Polly Tetlow is part of the Community Press Office in Grimsby. She and a colleague advise on PR and marketing of the message within the area.

Julie Grimmer and Margaret Cross

The group talked about a variety of initiatives they've been involved and what they're doing in the future. One initiative which is the basis for our main picture was a campaign to target men at the places they visit. Six members of the team, including Julie and Margaret, whom you can see at the gates of Blundell Park, were there on Grimsby Town's match day against Wrexham in January. The one nil victory over Wrexham wasn't the only good result on the day. Members of the team handed out cards to those going through the turnstiles. The cards carried information about how to spot the early signs of prostate cancer and what to do about it. The cards were well received and in addition to the men who attended the match, many women asked for information so that they could take the message home to their men folk.

Prostate Cancer Poster

The team admits men are difficult to target as they often turn a blind eye or deaf ear, especially when it concerns their most sensitive areas. This is why the team have had to come up with eye catching ways of attracting their attention. One campaign offered a 'twist' with an attention grabbing poster. The team say that men seem to respond to male figures in strong roles. This is why a fireman was used on one campaign who had a problem with his hose to illustrate metaphorically the situation men might find themselves in.

The 2008 Prostate Cancer Awareness week organised by the Prostate Cancer Charity runs from 10-16 March and that too has a football theme which offers men to take part in The Real Man Cup. You can find out more about Prostate Cancer by visiting the links on the top right hand side of this page. You can also hear the full interview from the Late Show using the link below.