The Orchid men's cancer charity celebrates its 10th anniversary this year and to celebrate and raise awareness of testicular, prostate and penile cancer it is encouraging men across the country to put on their pants. . . and just their pants and take part in a walk across London, this afternoon. Joining us are three men who look very fine in their pants, indeed; tennis player, Pat Cash, England Rugby Ace, Ben Cohen and footballer, Jason Cundy, on the way to the start of the walk in Canary Wharf.
Orchid Cancer Appeal
Formed in June 1996 by former testicular cancer patient, Colin Osborne, The Orchid Cancer Appeal was the first registered charity dedicated to fund research into diagnosis, prevention and treatment of testicular, prostate and penile cancer and to increase public awareness of these previously neglected diseases. It was originally set up to raise money for a Men's Cancer Unit's research programme at Barts and The London Hospitals, which it succeeding in doing. They also have a campaign of awareness and have produced leaflets and have made an educational video, 'know your balls Check 'em out' with celebrity faces such as Terry Venables, Chris Evans and Colin Montgomery to convey the important messages. The plan now is to complement the research and awareness work by establishing Orchid Cancer Nurses to exploit research opportunities, provide guidance on all cancers and thereby improve patient outcomes by both prevention and the effectiveness of treatment in other parts of the UK.
This is the second time the charity has done a 'men in pants' walk. Last year it was just around the City of London, this time they are also doing a walk from Canary Wharf too. The plan is to expand the walks, so that they are national by next year in the same way as the Moonwalk or Race for Life. Orchid have other events planned for this year, including an Amsertdam bike ride.
About Pat Cash
Pat met founder of the Orchid Cancer Appeal founder, Colin Osbourne, when they were both receiving treatment in the same hospital. Pat was recovering from a knee operation and Colin had been given a 5% chance of recovery from testicular cancer. The pair struck up an instant rapport and Pat has been in touch and supported Colin's charity work.
About Ben Cohen
Twenty seven year old Ben Cohen is an England International and Northampton Rugby player. He was a member of the 2002 Rugby World Cup winning squad. His Uncle, George Cohen, was on the 1966 football World Cup winning side.
Testicular Cancer
Testicular cancer is a life threatening disease that predominantly affects young men between the ages of 15 and 40. Over the last 25 years incidence has doubled and this rise has been linked to decline in sperm count. Though curable today, at least a third of all patients delay seeking treatment because of lack of knowledge or embarrassment, making treatment more complicated and distressing.
Overall there are around 2,000 cases diagnosed each year in the UK. The highest at risk age group is between 18-32 years old. Between the age of 15 and 50 about 1in 500 develop this problem all though there has been an 84% rise in incidence of testicular cancer in Britain since the late 1970s and this rate is still increasing. There has been a fall in the UK mortality rates since the late 1970s, the mortality rate is now only 0.3 per 100,000.
In more than one third of cases of testicular cancer has already spread by the time of diagnosis. Despite this, today more than 95% of patients are cured, albeit many needing toxic drug treatment (chemotherapy). If caught at an early stage, the treatment is much more simple and may only require surgery to the diseased testicle and cure at this stage is more than 99%. Surveys suggest that many men are unaware of testicular cancer or prefer to ignore it and only 5% of men regularly check their testicles. A simple regular self-examination is now known to help detect the early signs and reduce the amount of treatment needed.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms are swelling in part, or a small lump on the side of the testicles. There may also be an ache in the lower abdomen or in the affected testicle although this is quiet rare. In a few men the testicle may suddenly become swollen and very tender. The best time to check is in a warm bath or shower as the muscles of the scrotal sac are more relaxed.
About Prostate Cancer
In the last 20 years, world-wide cases of prostate cancer have increased dramatically, with one in twenty men being affected by the disease in their life time and with the decline in deaths from lung cancer, prostate cancer is becoming the most important cancer issue in men. Prostate cancer mainly affects men over the age of sixty-five, though in the UK more than one thousand cases per year affect men under the age of fifty-five.
In 50% of cases, the disease will have spread before diagnosis. However, one in three cancers may be slow growing, and such patients can survive for more than 5 years without treatment.
As with most cancers there are no clear-cut causes. However, the risks are increased by: a diet high in animal fat and low in foods containing vitamins A and D related substances, exposure to heavy metals, particularly cadmium radiation or pesticides, developing a sexually acquired infection, particularly at a young age, having a brother or a father with prostate cancer can increase your risk. Approximately 5-10% cases are thought to have an inherited component.
Symptoms
Common symptoms include: slowing of the urinary stream or urinating more frequently than usual (often at night), unexplained urinary infection or pain in the groins, or between the scrotum and rectum, obstruction of the outflow of the testis leads to loss of sperm production, or loss of erection, or very rarely blood in the sperm, constipation or altered bowel habit, pain or stiffness in the bones or muscles in spine or hips.
About cancer of the penis
Cancer of the penis is very rare in Europe. It is most often diagnosed in men over the age of 60 years. There are about 360 cases in the UK every year. The exact cause of cancer of the penis is not known, but it is thought that it could be related to general hygiene, and it is much less common in men who have been circumcised. This is because men who have not been circumcised may find it more difficult to pull back the foreskin enough to clean thoroughly underneath. Infection with a type of virus (human papilloma virus) that causes warts on the penis also increases the risk of penis cancer.
For more information please visit www.orchid-cancer.org.uk
