Cop a feel

By Chris Jones

Okay, how would you feel if I told you to go ahead and cop a feel? Go ahead and pop your hand in and roll them both around… get a grip and give ‘em a good feel!

Male Cancer Awareness Week was April 7-13, 2014, and marking the occasion was some startling new research available.

Orchid, the male cancer charity, has surveyed 3,000 men, and the alarming fact is that those most at risk for testicular cancer are single office workers.

So here’s the deal, marry someone and get a new job, or be ahead of the game and get in there and rummage. Learn what to do, and when to do it. Know what you feel like now, and use it to ensure you pick up on any changes, any new lumps and bumps. It could be a life saver.

Some surprising insights into the research include single men being less likely to recognize the symptoms and signs of testicular cancer, office workers being less likely to check themselves, tabloid readers being more likely to be switched on and check for lumps, and one in three men would tell their mom or partner if they found a lump – rather than their doctor.

That last one, seriously? Come on men – what’s your mother going to do? Kiss it better? Pop a plaster on it? Time to get real. If you find something, only a medical professional can do something. My favorite piece from this research is that London men are less ball aware than other areas of the UK? Really? And here I was thinking … no, never mind … .

Orchid states that awareness of this type of cancer has improved over the past few years, but the findings show that a large number of men still don’t know what to look for or how to protect themselves. If it’s caught early, this type of cancer is 98 percent curable, so get in there and feel a friend today. Just tell them you’re saving their life!

To help ensure that happens, and to help educate men out there, Orchid launched its first freephone Male Cancer Helpline on April 7. This Helpline is staffed 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. every Monday and Wednesday. Give a tinkle at 0808-802-0010 with your questions or email to helpline@orchid-cancer.org.uk.

Orchid isn’t just about testicular cancer, it also looks at prostate and penile cancers, supporting research and campaigns to help raise awareness. This charity was set up by a testicular cancer patient and focuses on the effect of cancer on men. Give them some support if you can, or find a cancer institute in your area.

So boys, do your research, Google search how to check yourself, get a friend to check you, arm yourself with some knowledge  and make sure you’re ball aware! Who knew ball games could be such fun?