Half of all men are unaware that quitting smoking will reduce their risk of developing cancer, according to the findings of a survey published yesterday.
The findings, published by the Irish Cancer Society, were described by a consultant oncologist, Dr John Armstrong, as extraordinary.
Dr Armstrong, who is based at St Luke's Hospital, said this may be why people had not been very vocal in support of the proposed ban on smoking in pubs and restaurants. They appeared to be largely unaware of the damage it caused.
The survey, conducted among a nationally representative sample of 600 men last month, also found that one in three did not know any of the associated symptoms of the main cancers which could affect them.
The most common male cancer is prostate cancer, the incidence of which is increasing. There are over 1,000 new cases and more than 500 deaths from it every year in Ireland, Dr Armstrong said.
He said all men over the age of 50 should be screened for prostate cancer.