Over 2,200 young men aged 15-44 are diagnosed with testicular cancer each year. Orchid’s new ‘Father and Sons’ campaign hopes to encourage men to feel confident talking to their sons about testicular cancer, and ensure they know how to check for signs and symptoms.
Orchid Chief Executive Rebecca Porta comments
“Awareness of testicular cancer has significantly improved over the past few years, but recent research commissioned by the Orchid highlights a substantial gap in communication when it comes to discussing serious health conditions with children.”
“Approximately a third of parents say that they did not feel confident discussing how to check for the signs and symptoms of serious and sensitive conditions like testicular cancer with their children, despite this being themost common cancer to affect young males. Talking to your son openly about the signs and symptoms of testicular cancer could be crucial in leading to early detection of a lump or an abnormality. If caught early, the disease can be 98% curable."
Orchid commissioned a survey and new stats show:
- 42% of parents do not regularly talk to their children about health issues or concerns
- 20% of parents never broach the issue with their children
- 30% of parents do not feel confident discussing how to check for signs and symptoms of testicular cancer
- 76% would sooner refer their child to a GP rather than raise a health-related concern with them directly
- Only 36% of 18-34 year olds are confident recognising the signs and symptoms of testicular cancer - a remarkable 20% lower than breast cancer.
Alexander Ludwig, who is supporting the campaign says, “I know it’s not a comfortable subject to talk about, but we need to talk about it because testicular cancer affects thousands of men and their families each year.”
“Help Orchid spread awareness by sharing this video using the hashtag #talkballs”
I've never talked about it with my sons (eldest is just 15) but I will now have the chat. I remember discovering a lump (thankfully nothing) and the run up to seeing a doc and getting a scan was one of the most worrying times of my life.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this.
Thanks for the comment, it must be so scary to have gone through that and I'm glad to hear your ok now. I think talking about things like this is important and should be continually aired as an important thing to do.
Deletegreat post, thanks for sharing it. Ill post it on our social media now #bigfatlinky
ReplyDeleteSuch an important post. And one that needs to be shared and spoken about. It is an important part for me and knowledge ill be passing on to the boys. Thanks for linking up with us on the #bigfatlinky
ReplyDelete