Check yourselves lads

Hull men are urged to take their health into their own hands to protect themselves from testicular cancer

Matt Duke is best known for saving shots bound for the Hull City net.
But now the Tigers' star has another goal in mind – to raise awareness of testicular cancer and save lives.
The 6ft 5in goalkeeper is winning his personal battle against the disease, and as he returns to full fitness, he is raising funds for life-saving research.
That's why on June 1 he was due to take part in the Keep Your Eye on the Ball race in London's Victoria Park.
Organised by the Everyman Male Cancer Campaign, and backed by both the Football Association and the Professional Footballers Association, the 5K event is a fundraiser for testicular and prostate cancer.
"Testicular cancer is obviously an issue close to my heart so you can bet I will be up there competing for a top place," says Matt.

Race to health

Meanwhile, Grand National winning jockey Bob Champion says Hull men should be more aware of testicular cancer.
Bob, who won the Aintree classic in 1981 riding Aldaniti, as well as 500 other top class races, was diagnosed with testicular cancer aged 31 in 1979.
"I left my treatment late because I tried to convince myself everything was ok.
That was stupid of me," says Bob.
"I was aware something was seriously wrong but did nothing about it for too long.
"Eventually I rang a doctor who patched up jockeys in those days and told him about the symptoms.
He got me an appointment at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London.
"Treatment back then was nothing like it is now - there was only a 40 per cent chance of recovery.
"The drugs I took to fight the cancer made me extremely ill, but I'm one of the lucky ones.
They worked and I'm alive today.
"My message to Hull men is check your body.
Don't take risks with your health like I did.
Use your head and see a doctor if you notice a problem."

Fear of diagnosis

Health experts say men are generally slower than women in seeking medical help, and a delicate matter such as testicular cancer can make chaps even more reluctant to seek advice.
"It could be because of a stiff upper lip attitude, embarassment about problems down below, or fear of diagnosis," says Matt Simms, a Consultant Urological Surgeon for the Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust at Castle Hill Hospital.
"Men put up with health problems longer than women, but if they notice a hard painless lump on their testicles they should see a GP immediately.
"Advances in treatment mean that in more than 95 per cent of cases testicular cancer is completely curable if detected at an early stage.
"We begin treatment within two weeks of diagnosis and the cancer responds well to surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
"I urge Hull men to check themselves regularly, perhaps after taking a shower or bath, and see a GP straight away if they have concerns."

Simple safeguard

Checking yourself is easy – just carry out the follow simple steps.

• Support the scrotum in the palm of your hand and get to know the size, feel and weight of each testicle.
• Examine the testicles by gently feeling for lumps, swellings, or changes in firmness.
• Each testicle has a tube at the top called an epididymis which carries sperm to the penis.
  Don't worry if you feel them - it's normal.
• Regular self examination will help you get to know the normal shape of your testicles so that any abnormalities can be detected early on.

Know the facts There are 15 to 20 new cases of testicular cancer in Hull and up to 2,000 across the country each year. Testicular cancer is known as the young man's cancer as it commonly strikes guys between the ages of 20 and 45. Other symptoms to look out for are a persisent dull ache and heavy feeling in the testicles and groin. Having a family history of testicular cancer, such as a father or brother with the illness, makes men ten times more likely to develop it. If a testicle must be removed, a prosthetic one can be fitted in its place leaving only a small scar. The remaining testicle can produce enough sperm to father children, and men function normally in every respect after successful treatment.

info

For more information on testicular cancer and the Everyman fundraising and awareness campaign visit www.icr.ac.uk/everyman

Working in partnership
Hull Teaching Primary Care Trust tel. (01482) 344700