Movember Motion Highlights a Potential Testing Gap in Alexandria and Clydebank

November 5, 2025 42

At a meeting of West Dunbartonshire council on the 29th October elected members were presented with a motion by Councillor Dr William Rooney titled: Supporting Movember and Men’s Health in West Dunbartonshire. The motion recognised the importance of Movember in promoting Men’s health in West Dunbartonshire, requested the Council buildings to turn blue on International Men’s Day and requested the Chief Executive to explore ways to engage with Movember UK.

In speaking to the motion Councillor Dr William Rooney praised the work done by the West Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) but urged that more can be done.

Currently West Dunbartonshire HSCP run a number of community-based mental health awareness courses for people in education, Police Scotland, NHS and third sector partners.

Applied suicide intervention skills training
Scottish Mental Health First Aid
What’s the harm?
Ask, tell and Save a life.

In 2024/25 there were 118 participants and so far on 25/26 there have been 92 participants in these programmes.

Councillor Dr William Rooney said: “I am particularly happy to see that third sector partners are being involved as these are the organisations that have deep roots in our community”

“We should aim to deliver more community-based mental health awareness when possible. This is where real change can happen in our communities.”

There are no national screening programmes for testicular and prostate cancer. However, the HSCP works with several partners like Public Health Scotland, NHS GGC Cancer Service and the third sector organisations like Cahonas Scotland and Prostate Cancer UK to promote screening and early detection.

Data from the Scottish Cancer Registry revealed that Prostate Cancer Incidence in West Dunbartonshire has massively increased by 65% since 2018 and the increase is driven mainly in Dumbarton which has seen 470% rise since 2018. In Alexandria and Clydebank the incidence has decreased since 2018.

Commenting on the data, Dr William Rooney said: “The rising incidence in Dumbarton suggests that more men are coming forward, receiving diagnoses, and accessing treatment for prostate cancer.”

“I’m concerned that in Alexandria and Clydebank, the number of recorded cases has fallen. This may indicate that fewer men are coming forward and accessing tests.”

“We must remove every barrier that stops men especially in Alexandria and Clydebank from feeling confident about getting tested.”

“That’s why charities like Movember matter. They raise awareness and help tackle critical men’s health issues.”

The motion was unanimously agreed by elected members.

Written by: Phil Briscoe

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