Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Why talking about prostate cancer matters in construction

Paul Gandy FCIOB, CIOB President, shares why its so important, as we kick off Prostate Cancer Awareness month

Construction is a remarkable industry. It shapes the places where we live and work, and it does so through the skill, commitment and pride of the people within it. It’s also, quite simply, an industry made up largely of men. In the UK, many of those men are now at a stage of life where health matters more than we sometimes like to admit.

And if we’re honest, men are not always very good at talking about health.

Throughout my career, I have seen this time and again. We tend to push things aside, carry on regardless, and tell ourselves we’ll deal with it later. We don’t want to make a fuss. We don’t want to talk about things that feel personal or uncomfortable. That instinct is understandable, but it can also be costly.

I’ve worked alongside people who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer. I’ve seen how suddenly life can change, not just for the individual but for everyone around them. I have also lost close family members and a colleague to this disease. That experience stays with you. It makes the issue feel very real, very quickly.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in the UK. 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with the disease during their lifetime. The risk increases with age, and it’s particularly high among Black men, where the figure rises to 1 in 4. These are not abstract statistics. They reflect the reality of our industry, our membership and our workplaces.

What makes this even more important is that early detection makes a real difference. When prostate cancer is found early, treatment is far more effective and outcomes are much better. Many men go on to live long and healthy lives. But early detection depends on awareness, confidence and action. It depends on men understanding their risk and feeling able to have a conversation with their GP.

That’s why CIOB is supporting Prostate Cancer UK this March during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. As a professional body, our role is not just about standards, qualifications and professionalism. It’s also about people. We have a responsibility to care about the wellbeing of those who work in construction and the built environment.

For me, this is personal. Losing my father, my uncle and a colleague brings home how fragile life can be, and how often the warning signs are missed or ignored. Many men affected by prostate cancer say the same thing in hindsight. If only I had checked sooner. If only I had spoken up earlier.

We cannot change the past, but we can influence what happens next.

At present, it seems unlikely that a national screening programme for men will be introduced soon. That makes it even more important for those of us who may be at risk to take ownership of our own health.

Right now, the first test for prostate cancer is a blood test called the prostate specific antigen, or PSA, blood test. It’s a safe and effective way of working out if you need more tests for prostate cancer (such as an MRI scan). It’s freely available from a GP and shows if there’s anything wrong with your prostate. This includes prostate cancer and other prostate conditions. If you’re at higher risk, talk to a GP about the pros and cons of the PSA blood test.

Prostate Cancer UK has created a free and confidential online risk checker that takes just thirty seconds to complete. It asks a small number of straightforward questions and gives you guidance about your risk and what to do next. It is not a diagnosis, but it is a powerful starting point.

If you’re a man working in construction, I would strongly encourage you to use it. And if you manage teams or work alongside others, encourage them to do the same. Starting a conversation about prostate cancer might be the moment that helps another man discover his risk and take action.

Construction is about building strong foundations that last. Looking after our health is part of that work too. Taking just thirty seconds now could change the course of a life, perhaps even your own.

This article appears on the CIOB news and blog site as "Why talking about prostate cancer matters in construction" dated 2 March 2026.

--CIOB

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