"This report clearly demonstrates that a concerted effort needs to be made into getting the public, the health professionals and the policy makers aware of the risks men are facing. Many of these deaths could be avoided by changes in lifestyle and earlier diagnosis."

Sara Hiom, director of health information at Cancer Research UK, said: "We know that around half of all cancers could be prevented by changes to lifestyle and it's worrying that this message could be falling on deaf ears for men.

"Importantly, for many cancers, the disease is more likely to be treated successfully if caught early. Delays in reporting symptoms to a doctor could be helping to fuel this gender gap in cancer mortality.

"Cancer Research UK and the Department of Health are key players in the National Awareness and Early Diagnosis Initiative (NAEDI), part of which aims to understand the reasons why people put off telling their GP about cancer symptoms and how to overcome them.

"This report tells us that NAEDI could make a real difference to understanding why cancer outcomes for men are so different."

Professor Mike Richards, National Cancer Director said: "As part of NAEDI, the Department and the Football Foundation are joint funding an 'Ahead of the Game' programme to promote early presentation. This one-year pilot programme, will use the appeal of football to raise awareness of lung, bowel and prostate cancers in men aged 55 and over, and selected football clubs across the country will receive funding to target local men over 55 and raise cancer awareness.

"Recently the Department of Health and the NHS Cancer Screening Programme agreed to provide funding for the Bobby Moore Fund 'There's Moore to Know' campaign on bowel cancer.

"Through these new approaches we hope to raise awareness about the signs and symptoms of cancer, and encourage men with symptoms to seek help earlier."

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