Only 20 per cent of men are aware of the risk of developing cancer and only 26 per cent attend their GP for regular check ups, according to new survey by the Irish Cancer Society (ICS).
The survey, which explored men's understanding of their risk of cancer and ways that they act to reduce that risk, was published today to mark the beginning of Men's Cancer Action Week.
It revealed the majority of men did not know what the most common form of male cancers are.
Only 40 per cent knew that prostate cancer, which 1,300 men develop annually in the Republic, is the most common form of male cancer, and only 29 per cent recognised bowel cancer as one of the most common cancers.
Even more worrying was that 69 per cent of men agreed that most men ignore the warning signs if they think it might be cancer, and 85 per cent agree that men wait too long before going to the doctor for treatment.
This year's Men's Cancer Action Week will focus specifically on colo-rectal (bowel) cancer and will advise men on how to prevent the cancer and what the warning signs are.
The incidence of the disease among males in the Republic is now at an all time high. Recent figures show Irish men have the second highest rate of colo-rectal cancer in Europe.
Speaking at a conference to mark the launch of Men's Cancer Action Week, Professor Colm O'Morain, Professor of Medicine, TCD said: '"Men need to understand these risk factors and be bowel aware."
Prof O'Morain believes there is a case for considering the establishment of a multi-centre pilot screening programme. He said the programme would enable "us to learn more about effective intervention and potentially improving early detection nationwide".
The most common risk factors for developing the disease include age, smoking, having a family history of bowel cancer, having a diet which is high in fat and low in fruit, vegetables and fibre, lack of physical activity, obesity and alcohol.
Warning signs include change in bowel habits lasting more than a month, bleeding from the back passage, regular feeling of trapped wind or fullness in the stomach area.
