Crocus Men's Den

10/08/2026

Small health concerns matter. Prioritising regular checkups keeps you strong for yourself and your family.

🔗 Explore more resources: www.mensnetwork.ie

10/08/2026

Garvan McFeeley 59 from Dublin had no suspicion of melanoma until a routine GP visit in late 2021 resulted in being referred to the plastic surgery team in the hospital to investigate a lump on his ear.

"As most Irish people will attest to, we really don’t get enough information around the importance of sunscreen and how much of it we should use. It really wasn’t something I gave much thought to until a routine visit to my GP led to a diagnosis and an emotional rollercoaster that I could not have prepared myself for.

In March 2022 I was diagnosed with Amelanotic Melanoma on my ear. The next steps are a blur as treatment commenced.

My advice to others is get some cancer buddies from relatives and friends who have been through any cancer. The rollercoaster is the same. It is a level of understanding that only those who have been through it can understand.
Avail of any supports available, practical, emotional whatever you can. I found the Melanoma Support Ireland group brilliant.

I find the SunSmart App very useful. I could write a book on suncreams, which ones for near the eyes, which ones for arms etc. Read the quantity needed on a suncream bottle, this was an eye opener for me. A 200ml bottle typically is about six applications for face, arms, legs, etc.

Putting on suncream on a midwinters day or before sunrise if you are going travelling is a bit odd still but this matters.

I hope that by sharing my experience and advice it can help people make more informed decisions about being SunSmart, maybe go to their GP sooner or feel a little less alone in their experience."

Garvan is supporting our campaign, raising awareness that Skin Cancer Happens at Home.

Read Garvan's story here:
https://surviveandthrive.ie/cancer-stories/garvan-mcfeeley/

04/08/2026

Well done to Pa**ie & all the team in Teach Na nDaoine , A great initiative 👍👍

Men across Monaghan who are struggling with their mental health have been encouraged to reach out and avail of the supports available to them at the Teach na Da...

04/08/2026

04/08/2026

The Marie Keating Foundation's are here to remind you that you’re just as likely to develop skin cancer in Kerry as you are on Koi Samui.

Melanoma doesn't care if it finds you in Ireland or Italy.

That's why it's important to protect your skin at home, not just when you're abroad.
Skin cancer happens at home. Protect your skin.

Learn more
https://mariekeating.ie/campaigns/protect-your-skin-at-home/

02/08/2026

“I feel really lucky that my brother saw the mole on my ear as I would not have been able to see it myself in the mirror. He made me aware of it and said it looked funny and that I should have it looked at by the GP. I went straight away and the GP agreed that the mole did not look right and so I had the mole removed.”

John had heard of melanoma before he was diagnosed with the disease but was not overly concerned that it might affect him. He did not think that he would be prone to the disease since his complexion was not too pale and he did not like sunbathing. He had never used sun beds.

Looking back, John says he regrets not taking better care of his skin but says that it never dawned on him that the sun was causing his skin damage.

After the mole on his ear was removed and diagnosed as melanoma, a benign tumour in his hip was discovered as his team of doctors were checking for signs of his melanoma spreading.

John wants people in Ireland to know the importance of protecting your skin and getting to know their skin and checking it regularly. If you notice any changes in moles, get them checked.

Click the link to read John’s story in full

https://surviveandthrive.ie/cancer-stories/john-kelly/

23/07/2026

20/07/2026

Supporting those who support our farmers. 🌾

The 'On Feirm Ground 2' Training Programme equips agricultural professionals with the tools and knowledge to engage and signpost farmers on health and wellbeing.

👉 Learn more at mensnetwork.ie/on-feirm-ground-2/

18/07/2026

Garvan McFeeley 59 from Dublin had no suspicion of melanoma until a routine GP visit in late 2021 resulted in being referred to the plastic surgery team in the hospital to investigate a lump on his ear.

"As most Irish people will attest to, we really don’t get enough information around the importance of sunscreen and how much of it we should use. It really wasn’t something I gave much thought to until a routine visit to my GP led to a diagnosis and an emotional rollercoaster that I could not have prepared myself for.

In March 2022 I was diagnosed with Amelanotic Melanoma on my ear. The next steps are a blur as treatment commenced.

My advice to others is get some cancer buddies from relatives and friends who have been through any cancer. The rollercoaster is the same. It is a level of understanding that only those who have been through it can understand.
Avail of any supports available, practical, emotional whatever you can. I found the Melanoma Support Ireland group brilliant.

I find the SunSmart App very useful. I could write a book on suncreams, which ones for near the eyes, which ones for arms etc. Read the quantity needed on a suncream bottle, this was an eye opener for me. A 200ml bottle typically is about six applications for face, arms, legs, etc.

Putting on suncream on a midwinters day or before sunrise if you are going travelling is a bit odd still but this matters.

I hope that by sharing my experience and advice it can help people make more informed decisions about being SunSmart, maybe go to their GP sooner or feel a little less alone in their experience."

Garvan is supporting our campaign, raising awareness that Skin Cancer Happens at Home.

Learn More and read Garvan's story in full here:
https://mariekeating.ie/campaigns/protect-your-skin-at-home/