Construction industry comes together to fight cancer

Cancer remains one of the biggest threats to the health of the construction industry’s workers and six construction companies have united to fight the disease.

It is estimated that by 2020, nearly half of the British population will get cancer in their lifetime. The campaign ‘Don’t let Cancer Ruin Your Foundations’ run in collaboration with Macmillan Cancer Support, whose construction industry partners are joining forces to empower men to take control of their health.

The first two weeks in May will se fundraising and campaigns to raise awareness undertaken by the partners – Selco Builders Warehouse, Travis Perkins, Benchmarx Kitchen & Joinery, Kier Group, Costain, and Wolseley UK – will be carrying out fundraising. awareness raising activities during the first two weeks of May. Sites across the country will signpost employees and customers to Macmillan information and support.

Alix Wooding, Head of Corporate Partnerships at Macmillan Cancer Support said: “It’s very exciting for Macmillan to be working across an entire sector and uniting businesses who would traditionally be competitors, in the name of providing vital support to people with worries about cancer.

“By working with a coalition of companies to provide Macmillan information and support we can ensure that men – who are least likely to speak out about their cancer concerns – are confident enough to do so. I’d urge anyone who would like more information to get in touch with Macmillan because no one should face the worry of a cancer diagnosis alone.”

Research carried out by Macmillan focussing on the construction industry reveal that 43% of men surveyed would feel discouraged from discussing changes in their health such as discovering a lump, experiencing pain or a change in a mole, in case they were seen as ‘making a fuss’. 22% wouldn’t raise the issue through feeling embarrassment.

Chris Cunliffe, Chief Executive of Selco Builders Warehouse which has partnered with Macmillan since 2013 raising more than £300,000 for the charity, said: “The aim of the campaign is to educate male employees and customers that they don’t have to face cancer alone. We want to encourage men to put their health first, by ensuring they are aware of the most common signs and symptoms of cancer.”

YouGov research commissioned by Macmillan showed that more than on in three men (38%) admitted to having health concerns that have kept them awake at night. Macmillian point to this as evidence of men putting on a show of bravado but really struggling to face up to their fears.

Mr Cunliffe continued: “All of the companies taking part in the campaign are Macmillan Cancer Support fundraising partners and collectively we have raised over £1,570,000 for the charity and we hope to reach millions of people through each of the partners’ staff, customers, suppliers, contractors and their families. If this campaign helps just one man face his cancer fears and take control by seeing a doctor or talking about his concerns, then it will have been a success.”

For more information about the campaign and the signs and symptoms of cancer please visit http://ift.tt/24lpiwj.

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