Get to Know Your Nuts
Men across the UK are being encouraged to get to know their nuts, as part of nationwide campaign for male cancer awareness month.
Men across the UK are being encouraged to get to know their nuts, as part of nationwide campaign for male cancer awareness month (June 2013).
With the help of Macmillan, the UK’s leading cancer support charity, law firm Field Fisher Waterhouse have created a simple guide to support the most frequently asked questions concerning testicular cancer symptoms and the longer term impact of the disease.
Testicular cancer accounts for around 1% of all cancers in men[1] but, unlike other forms of cancer, tends to affect younger men.
Many men who discover testicular lumps often avoid consulting medical advice because of embarrassment or concerns about treatment.
Medical negligence solicitor, Mark Bowman at Field Fisher Waterhouse says: “It can be incredibly tough for many men to talk about what to do or how to act upon discovery of any testicular lumps. Many men struggle to express their feelings or concerns as to how any testicular lump may affect their sex life or longer term plans for children.”
The number of cases of testicular cancer that are diagnosed each year in the UK has roughly doubled since the mid-1970s. Experts at Field Fisher Waterhouse believe that a large number of these cases could have been avoided with early detection, particularly if men were less afraid to seek medical attention.
Victoria Douglass Kingdon, 43 from Tunbridge Wells lost her husband Gareth to testicular cancer in 2006 just 7 months after the birth of their son Gus.
Victoria said: “Something needs to change dramatically to make men take their health seriously. Whatever the cause, men seem reluctant to consult a GP, or talk to friends and family, if they have a health concern.
“Just as every woman should check for lumps and go for mammograms for breast cancer, simple checks can save lives. Early detection plays a critical part in survival, not just for cancer but for all health problems. Get checked.”
According to Cancer Research UK, fewer than 4 in every 100 testicular lumps are cancerous[2]. And, thanks to advancements in treatment, 97.2% of adult testicular cancer patients in England survived for 5 years or more[3].
Mark Bowman of Field Fisher Waterhouse continues: “Seeking advice and information as soon as you notice any changes or cause for concern is key. We hope this campaign helps to provide relevant information to men who are unable to speak to friends and family, whilst encouraging them to seek professional advice.”
Link to infographic
ENDS
Contact: Emma Trotter
emma.trotter@stickyeyes.com
0113 391 29 29
Notes to editors
[1] http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Cancer-of-the-testicle/Pages/Introduction.aspx
[2] figures courtesy of Mr Mike Wallace, FRCS
[3] http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer-info/cancerstats/types/testis/survival/testicular-cancer-survival-statistics