New research from leading cancer charity Macmillan reveals today that 250,000 men living with cancer in the UK are currently struggling with feelings such as fear, depression or worry because of their diagnosis.

Yet the majority of those affected have not sought any support for these feelings.

To raise awareness and get more men talking, award-winning photographer Ray Burmiston captures celebrities and people affected by cancer in a new series of moving photographs, with one of these being Macclesfield born-and-bred Nick Robinson.

The photographs have been done as part of Macmillan Cancer Support's 'Find The Words' campaign which is on a mission to get men to open up about cancer and reach out for support.

The broadcast journalist had cancer himself eight years ago. (Image - Ray Burmiston)

The campaign features male celebrities and men affected by cancer to encourage more men to open up about their experiences and reach out for support.

Robinson, the BBC TV and radio journalist, had cancer himself undergoing surgery to remove a neuroendocrine bronchial carcinoid tumour in 2015 just days before that year's General Election.

New analysis by Macmillan reveals men with cancer in the UK often struggle to 'find the words' when it comes to discussing how they're really feeling.

Macmillan's latest research estimates there are currently 250,000 men living with cancer across the UK (19%) who are struggling with feelings of sadness or depression, or worry, fear and anxiety, but despite this more than half (55%) of those who are affected have not currently sought any support with these feelings.

Before becoming one of Britain's best-known journalists, the 59-year-old was a founder member of Macclesfield Young Conservatives and went to school in Cheadle Hulme. (Image - Ray Burmiston)

Other male celebs to appear in the campaign alongside the Maxonian includes Tom Daley, Bill Bailey, Merlin Griffiths, and Trevor Nelson, who have all personally been affected by cancer.

The celebrities and storytellers have joined forces with Macmillan to break down barriers many men can face when it comes to talking, highlighting the importance of leaning on friends, family or Macmillan for support.

Following surgery to remove the tumour on his lung, Nick was supported by a Macmillan speech and language therapist who helped give him the confidence to talk more openly about his experience. Nick said: "When I'd had my operation, I lost my voice and didn't dare talk to anyone about it. I thought my career was over, but I did talk to my Macmillan nurse.

"He was an incredibly good listener and encouraged me to explain what I was scared of and talked me through what I wanted to know. Having someone to talk to who got it and understood the situation, without having to think am I being a burden on them, was incredibly liberating.

First dates star Merlin Griffiths is another celeb who took part in the awareness shoot alongside Robinson. The famous barman was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2021. (Image - Ray Burmiston)

"I think the most important thing about talking about cancer is recognising you are not in charge, which for a lot of men is particularly a difficult thing to recognise. Talking about it is the only way of really processing what you're going through, instead of bottling it all up.

"You'll soon discover that you're not alone, people do want to listen and help."

Men make up just over half (52%) of new cancer cases, with over 200,000 men in the UK diagnosed every year. Yet in 2022, only 38% of people with cancer contacting the Macmillan Support Line were men.

This means many men with cancer are missing out on getting the support they need.

Robinson at work interviewing former MP Michael Portillo. (Image - CC 2.0 Simon Gosney Unchanged tinyurl.com/yc57addz)

Chris Bolton, Service Knowledge Specialist on the Support Line at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: "We continue to see fewer calls from men contacting the Macmillan Support Line, but we want men to know, that there is support available.

"We find many men hold back from talking, to protect the people around them, to not be a burden on their family, or a bother to their friends but it doesn't have to be this way.

"Our specially trained nurses and advisers are at the end of the phone seven days a week (8am-8pm) for people living or affected by cancer, whatever they need to ask. There's also our Online Community where men can chat anonymously if that feels more comfortable."

Macmillan Cancer Support is doing whatever it takes to help people find the words to talk about cancer. It's not easy to talk about cancer but it could help. Whatever questions people need to ask whether that be about work, money, life, Macmillan is at the end of the phone and online to provide support.

In memory of his great friend Sean Lock, comedian, singer and actor, Bill Bailey, teams up with Macmillan Cancer Support to help more men 'find the words' to talk about cancer. Bailey has previously done awareness campaigns for prostate cancer. (Image - Ray Burmiston)

Please call 0808 808 00 00 or visit macmillan.org.uk/findthewords and ask anything.

You can also make a donation to the national charity using the above link.

For cancer support near Macclesfield, please click HERE.

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