EVERY year 150,000 men are treated at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital for health concerns such as bladder, prostate or testicular cancers.

Annually, 130 new cases of bladder cancer are diagnosed, with 100 of these requiring surgery to have a tumour removed.

To help support men's health projects, Bournemouth Hospital Charity hosts March for Men, an annual event where hundreds of people walk, jog or run either 1km, 5km or 10km.

By taking part in these races, people are helping to raise vital funds to support the treatment of patients facing life-changing challenges.

These vital funds enable a progression in technology which will further help patients diagnosed with bladder cancer.

The traditionally used white light cameras inspect the suspected tumours, but do not give the greatest visibility and poor detection can mean a higher chance of recurrence.

However, when using blue light cameras, a special solution is placed into the bladder for about an hour before being inspected under both white and blue light.

The solution is absorbed by the tumour cells and lights up fluorescent red when under the blue light.

Consultant Urological Surgeon, Kevin Turner said: "This blue light technology not only diagnoses and treats more accurately, it also reduces the number of treatments a patient needs as all of the tumour is identified at the start.

"It has revolutionised the way we care for our patients and we wouldn’t have been able to purchase this without the support of March for Men."

Gordon Youngson and his family fronted last year’s campaign and recently visited the hospital to see the blue light equipment.

He said: "It was great to see the end product of all the fundraising. It’s important that we keep fundraising for March for Men as you never know when it might be needed.

"Myself, my son and my grandson are three generations of our family and it’s important to remember that it’s not just the elderly affected by health problems."

Geoff Jones has fundraised £10,000 for March for Men and he joined the Youngson family to see how his donations have helped support men’s health projects.

Geoff explained the importance of March for Men: "I’m not an athlete but I have taken part and walked the 5km with my family, and would encourage others to take part. I’m pleased to be giving something back after being looked after so well in 2012 and 2013, and I’m still here thanks to them.

"I’d like to thank the team for saving my life and all the wonderful people who donate."

Also on the fundraising bandwagon is the Bournemouth Male Voice Choir who fundraised £22,500 in donations for the hospital.

The choir said: "We are a variety of men and some of us have been or have family and friends that have been touched by cancer. We are intrinsically part of the local community and it is part of our mission to support local charities like Bournemouth Hospital Charity."

March for Men 2020 will take place on March 28 at Bournemouth Pier Approach.

The Bournemouth Male Choir will be providing musical entertainment throughout the day.

You can sign up by visiting https://www.bhcharity.org/event/m4m/ or by calling the Charity Office on 01202 704060.