PROSTATE Cancer UK has launched is search for charity challenge walkers as new figures show the disease is the third biggest cancer killer in the UK.

For the first time, the number of men dying from prostate cancer every year has overtaken the number of women dying from breast cancer.

The leading men’s health charity is now recruiting an army of walkers in Manchester to walk 2k, 5k or 10k on June 10 at Wythenshawe Park and raise funds to beat the disease.

After a successful launch, of the charity’s flagship walking campaign, March for Men, last year raised more than £1 million.

Prostate Cancer UK’s Chief Executive, Angela Culhane, said: “I’m thrilled that our March for Men series continues to gather momentum, and look forward to beating the drum even louder across the UK this year as we mobilise legions of our supporters.

“One man dies every 45 minutes from prostate cancer, and we now know this disease is the third biggest cancer killer. That’s unacceptable. We need to turn that around and the wonderful efforts of everyone who has walked for us previously have laid the foundations.

“Thanks to the money raised we can fund more ground-breaking research, and it will also help us provide dedicated support and information to men and their families and make prostate cancer a disease the next generation of men need not fear. These walks are the perfect way to take a step in the right direction.”

Over 4,895 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in the North West each year, with 1,107 men dying from the disease, and over 19,000 living with and beyond prostate cancer.

To sign up to the Manchester March for Men or find out more information go to prostatecanceruk.org/march.