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here is the link to the THIS MORNING page it has links to cancer helplines etc
PLEASE GET YOUR DS/DH/DP/DBRO etc to read and examine himself every month
It is a deffo brill reason for them to have a fiddle iyswim
The men's cancer charity, Orchid, celebrates its 11th anniversary this year and as part of the celebrations it is encouraging men across the country to walk around in their pants! It all takes place this afternoon, to raise awareness for testicular, prostrate and penile cancer. Joining us is the founder of Orchid, Colin Osbourne who survived cancer and his friend Pat Cash, a supporter of the charity.
Meeting Pat Cash
It was in the very early stages of the Orchid Cancer Appeal that Pat Cash became involved.
Colin says: "I was sitting in hospital undergoing a bout of chemo watching Pat Cash at Wimbledon, he got knocked out because he hurt his knee. Three weeks later I was back in the hospital for more treatment and Pat Cash was in the room next to me!
?We got chatting and I was telling him what I had been through. He was a little down because of his injury but he heard my story and said that he would help in any way that he could. We kept talking and I thought he was amazing. When he left, I was in treatment and so didn't see him go, but when I came back to my room he had signed one of his headbands for me saying good luck. When I got better and got the charity underway I got back in touch and he has been true to his word and helped so much. He is a true friend now."
The Orchid Cancer Appeal
The Orchid Cancer Appeal was the first registered charity dedicated to fund research into the 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, and still does.
Orchid also have an awareness campaign producing leaflets and have made an educational video, 'Know your balls Check 'em out' with celebrities such as Terry Venables, Chris Evans and Colin Montgomery to convey the important messages. The next step is to establish Orchid Cancer Nurses who will exploit research opportunities, provide guidance on all cancers and thereby improve patient outcomes (through both prevention and the effectiveness of treatment across the UK.)
This is the third time the charity has done a 'Men in Pants' walk. Walks will be happening all over the country on today to raise money for the charity. All kinds of people and animals will be wearing the pants over their own clothes, including a horse! Three supporters are even are racing to the North Pole in support of Orchid.
About Testicular Cancer
- Testicular cancer, though the most common cancer in young men, is rare. 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 1 in 500 develop this problem.
- As testicular cancer can usually be successfully treated, mortality is very low. 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 is now 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.
Help Lines
Orchid
Orchid exists to save men's lives from testicular, prostate and penile cancers through pioneering research and promoting awareness.Inlcudes links to other cancer related sites.
Website: www.orchid-cancer.org.uk/
CancerBACKUP
Information, advice and support to anyone affected by cancer including helpline staffed by specialist cancer nurses.
Helpline: 0808 800 1234 (Mon - Fri 9am - 8pm)
Website: www.cancerbackup.org.uk
Medical Advisory Service
Offers information and advice to members of the public on medical and healthcare matters.
Prostate Cancer Helpline: 0800 074 8383 (10am-4pm - Monday to Friday, 7pm-9pm Wednesday)
Website: www.medicaladvisoryservice.org.uk
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