Steven Gerrard: Blue for a day

England and Liverpool footballer Steven Gerrard is one of the many backing Blue September, the international campaign encouraging men to face up to cancer, which launches in England and Wales today.

Along with team-mate Jamie Carragher, the  Liverpool captain has even gone so far as to paint his face blue to show his support for the campaign. These Liverpool legends may be Reds for Life but they have turned Blue for a Day.

Blue September is the first national campaign to increase men’s awareness of all cancers. Why is it necessary? Because men are about 40% more likely than women to die of cancer. Blue September  encourages men to seek medical advice as soon as possible if they have a worrying symptom.

Steven Gerrard said: 'Putting blue paint on your face is a fun way to get out a serious message - that we can all do our bit to face up to men's cancer. If you've got a worry, if you know something's not quite right, go to your GP and sort it out sooner rather than later.'

Don't ignore symptoms

MHF CEO Peter Baker said: 'We must face up to cancer in men. Our statistical analysis shows that men are 70% more likely than women to die from cancers that affect both sexes and 60% more likely to get these cancers. Too many men are dying unnecessarily because they take risks with their lifestyles and ignore symptoms.”

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: 'Too often we men take an ostrich like approach to our health, ignoring persistent symptoms in the hope that somehow they will miraculously resolve themselves and disappear. But the evidence shows that getting things checked out right away makes sense. Catching any problems early means they are easier to treat - and with better outcomes - and if your GP gives you the all clear then you don't need to waste energy with unnecessary worrying.'

Health minister Paul Burstow MP, also behind the campaign, said: 'Preventing cancer and diagnosing cancer earlier is one of our key priorities in aiming to achieve cancer outcomes that are amongst the best in the world. Blue September is a great way of encouraging men and their families to adopt healthier lifestyles and know the signs and symptoms of cancer.'

Other big names from sport, health and television support Blue September, including:

• Liverpool Football Club
• Tottenham Hotspur Football Club
• Fulham Football Club
• Portsmouth Football Club
• The Barclays Premier League
• NHS Direct
• Health minister Paul Burstow MP
• Ronan Keating, musician (he lost his mother to breast cancer in 1998)
• Professor Sir Mike Richards, the national cancer director
• Alan Fletcher, right, “Dr Karl Kennedy” from Neighbours
• The Royal College of GPs
• The Royal College of Nursing

Throughout September, there will be Blue September events taking place at football and rugby grounds, workplaces, hospitals and other venues across England and Wales.

• More on Blue September campaign on the MHF website
• More on cancer from malehealth.co.uk
• More information about Blue September and the people and organisations backing on www.blueseptember.org.uk.