Cancerlink - a charity that provides information and emotional support and advice to anyone affected by the disease, has conducted a survey into the take-up of self-help groups around the UK.

It found that women are far more likely to seek assistance.

These were the main findings:

• Of over 600 UK cancer self-help and support groups, only 2% focus on men's cancers or are specifically for men

• Only 15% of people attending Cancerlink's roadshows for self-help and support groups were men

• Only 22% of calls to Cancerlink's freephone cancer information are from men affected by cancer - the rest are from women

The charity is holding a conference at the Royal Marsden Conference Centre in London to discuss the issue.

Complex reasons

Judith McNeill, Cancerlink's chief executive, said the reasons men were not coming forward were varied and complex, but it was clear many took the 'stiff upper lip' approach.

"Men feel they can deal with it on their own, that they don't want to make a fuss, and that it is a sign of weakness and they would be deemed to be not coping if they did make any fuss about it."

She said the conference would look at what men needed from the support services.

"We should be saying to men, 'what is it that you actually want?', 'what is the reality for the average man who has cancer?', 'what's their relationship with their doctor?'

"Is the communication good? Do they get the information they need? Do they get answers to their questions? Are they able even to ask the questions to which they want answers? I think we need to do more exploring around this."

Previous research

The survey has echoes in a similar report from the Marie Curie Cancer Care charity published earlier in the week.

Its poll showed only 23% of men felt well informed about the cancers which most affect them and more than half admitted their wives or partners know more about the subject.

Those who considered themselves well informed on the subject listed testicular cancer among the top three male cancers when the most common affect lungs, skin and prostate.

Men who are worried about cancer can call Cancerlink's freephone cancer information helpline on 0800 132905.

The charity also produces a free booklet, Men and Cancer, which covers all aspects of having a cancer diagnosis.