Former Kiss star Peter Criss is set to be honoured for his tireless work in raising awareness of breast cancer in men.

The veteran rocker was diagnosed with the disease in 2008, and since beating the condition, which is more commonly associated with women, he has been fighting the stigma attached to the illness.

Now, bosses at The Beauty Foundation For Cancer Care organisation have announced that Criss will be the recipient of their first Man Of Courage award, which will be named in his honour after this year (13).

The star says, "I think it's wonderful that The Beauty Foundation is giving exposure to male breast cancer. The more aware that men become that this is not just a woman's disease, the more lives that will be saved."

Criss will receive the honour at an event in New Jersey next month (Apr13).