by Jo Earle and Andy Winter

A cancer sufferer from Kent has advocated regular health checks after new research was released claiming men are 40 per cent more likely to die from any type of the disease than women.

The report - published by the National Cancer Intelligence Network, Cancer Research UK and the Men's Health Forum to mark Men's Health Week - also states men are 70 per cent more likely to die from cancers that affect both men and women.

Ian Mitcheson, from Hawkinge, near Folkestone was given the devastating news he had prostate cancer which had spread to his spine on his 42nd birthday.

The signs he had cancer were discovered when he went for a private health check - but it was too late and he was eventually told he had only two or three years to live.

Audio: Cancer sufferer Ian Mitcheson urges men to go for regular checks

Mr Mitcheson said: "I want men out there to go and get tested even if you're not having symptoms. Like women's smear tests, men should go and get checked on a regular basis - it doesn't cost you anything.

"If you leave it too long like I did the results can be fatal."

A doctor from the county is also backing the research. Dr Julian Spinks, from Strood, near Rochester said it is not down to biological reasons and men need to invest more in their health.

He said: "It's a little bit of a mystery as to why we can't get men to come in. It may be down to this slightly more macho culture, which says you put up with things until you get desperate rather than seeking help earlier.

"We do really need to push men to put their health first. A lot of them say 'I can't come because I'm at work' - but you can't work if you're ill. You actually need to be investing in your health now so you are able to work longer."