Macmillan Cancer Support is uniting with six companies from the building and construction sector to raise awareness of cancer and encourage men to get support. Benchmarx Kitchens & Joinery, ISG, Selco Builders Warehouse, Travis Perkins, Topps Tiles and Wolseley UK, have joined forces with the charity to tackle the stigmas that prevent men from talking about their health.

The campaign will build on the success of last year’s inaugural campaign which saw Macmillan bring together companies from the industry to improve the health and wellbeing of their male workforce. Following the campaign, the charity has had a continued presence in the industry in the form of ‘Macmillan Neighbours’, employees from the sector who have volunteered to be trained to provide cancer support to their colleagues.

The importance of the campaign and encouraging men to talk about their health, is underlined by a new Macmillan survey, conducted with the cooperation of Toluna UK, of 536 ‘Construction Cancer Coalition’ male employees. The study revealed that almost two in five men (38%) from the sector who reported being in good health believe that, as a man, it is important to keep emotions in check so others view them as strong. This data also reveals that almost one in five men (18%) who work in the industry and have a serious illness, such as cancer, feel like less of a man since being diagnosed.

From 12th - 25th June, Macmillan Cancer Support will have a visible presence in branches and sites of the ‘Construction Cancer Coalition’ partners, with posters and leaflets signposting men to support, and encouraging those with health concerns to Just Say the Word, and talk about cancer. Employees at all levels will also spend the two-week period fundraising for Macmillan, raising money to help the charity provide support to people living with cancer across the UK.

Matthew Williams, CEO of Topps Tiles, said: “We are pleased to join the other partners to become part of the Construction Cancer Coalition, helping to raise awareness of Macmillan’s cancer support with our colleagues and customers. The combined voices of the building and construction sector had such a big impact last year, making a real difference to improve cancer awareness and health attitudes across the sector. I hope this year we can continue to raise the profile and make the coalition an even bigger success.”

www.macmillan.org.uk/SayTheWord