THEGAYUK

Tag: Cancer

All the latest breaking news on cancer. Browse THEGAYUK’s complete collection of news, articles and commentary on cancer.

  • The Sun features naked men on Page 3 for the first time

    The Sun, the UK’s most read tabloid has made history today after putting naked men on its infamous page three. West Ham donated 9 of its players for the stunt.

    Usually, the haunt of female glamour models, like Katie Price, The Sun has devoted today’s Page 3 to naked men for the Feel ‘Em Friday campaign, which aims to encourage men to check their balls for testicular cancer.

    Nine West Ham players have gotten completely naked for the campaign. The paper said that the campaign was inspired by the Feel Em Tuesday campaign which encouraged women to check their breasts for early signs of cancer. West Ham players supported the appeal after one of the club’s former players Dylan Tombides died in April of cancer.

    The paper has teamed up with Movember. Speaking on the partnership Sun editor David Dinsmore said: ‘Movember is a great campaign with a sense of fun and innovation that chimes perfectly with The Sun’s values.

    ‘We’re very happy to be partnering with the Movember Foundation to spread the word about checking for testicular cancer in the way we have done with breast cancer and Coppafeel! to great success’

    if you’d like to know how to check your balls watch our video.

  • Scottish Government Launches Next Phase Of Bowel Cancer Campaign

    Bowel cancer can be beaten – if detected early. This was the message Scots were told today as the Scottish Government launched the second phase of its bowel cancer awareness campaign.

    In a bid to encourage more Scots aged 50-74 to take part in the life-saving national bowel screening programme, the new campaign carries the powerful message that early stage bowel cancer can often be cured.

    The campaign shows the real value of completing the home screening kit, which is the best way to find bowel cancer early.

    Picking up where the first campaign left off, the next phase wants to increase the 57 per cent of bowel cancers detected at the earliest stages, by asking more people to return their completed kits.

    Last year’s public awareness campaign resulted in a large increase in calls to the national bowel screening centre and the latest statistics shows that uptake of the programme has gone up from 54 to 56 percent in two years.

    Health Secretary Alex Neil said: “We know that nine out of 10 people will survive bowel cancer if it is detected early. Completing and returning the home test is the simplest way to get checked – giving yourself the best possible chance of survival.

    “However, only just over half of those eligible have taken the opportunity to get tested. Bowel cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, especially when it’s caught early, and taking the test helps us to do exactly that.

    “We want to encourage even more people to take up the services on offer and help further increase the rate of bowel cancers detected at the earliest stage, when people are least likely to need invasive treatment and most likely to survive.

    “An important part of this is ensuring everyone who is eligible takes the time to complete their home test kit. Having done the test myself I know how simple it is to do and the results could make a difference to your life. My message is clear, bowel cancer can be beaten if its caught early. Don’t get scared, take the test.”

    The campaign, which goes live today, is supported by 70-year-old Sheena Edgar who is one of Scotland’s growing number of cancer survivors thanks to screening.

    Sheena, from Lanarkshire, was diagnosed with bowel cancer after completing a routine bowel screening test three years ago.

    Highlighting the importance of the returning the screening kit Sheena said: “I had no symptoms at all but I sent away my test anyway. Just a few days later I had a letter asking me to get in touch with the hospital to arrange a colonoscopy. They told me they found three polyps which were then sent away for testing.

    These tests, which would not have been done if Sheena hadn’t returned her kit, showed that she did indeed need treatment.

    Sheena explained: “I then had an operation, but was home three days later and felt like I was back to normal. It was all really quick. The staff that helped look after me were absolutely brilliant. It was over before I realised that anything had even happened.

    Sheena is sharing her story as part of the new campaign because she recognises how it saved her life – a message she wants others to know.

    She said: “I’m very grateful for the screening service. Don’t be put off doing the test – it’s so simple and could save your life. You might not like the thought of it, but it’s easy and you can do it in private, in your own home.

    “It doesn’t bear thinking about how long I might have had to wait before finding out I had bowel cancer, without the screening programme. It could have been much further down the line, when it was more advanced – I could have been facing a very different outcome all together.

    “I was so lucky it was caught early, thank goodness for the screening service.”

    Applauding the new campaign Emma Anderson, Scottish Operations Manager, Bowel Cancer UK said:

    “Bowel Cancer UK welcomes the next phase of the Detect Cancer Early bowel cancer campaign.

    “We have seen the uptake rate of the bowel screening test increase since the campaign began but there are still too many people not completing and returning their kit. Everyone who is eligible should do the test – it could save their life.”

    Terence O’Kelly, the Scottish Government’s Senior Medical Officer and Consultant Colorectal Surgeon at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary said:

    “If a tumour is present, just in the bowel wall, it can be cured.

    “I know of many patients who have completed the home screening test, had a positive result, and have gone on to have polyps removed before they develop any further. These individuals have then enjoyed completely normal lives.

    “Clearly not everyone has the same journey or outcome. However, what is clear, is that if detected early, bowel cancer is a form of disease that can be cured.”

    Currently the Scottish Bowel Screening Programme invites all men and women in Scotland aged 50 – 74 to participate in screening every two years.

    The programme was extended in April 2013, so that those over the age of 74 can self-refer every two years by requesting a screening kit through the Scottish Bowel Screening Helpline.

    For information on the screening programme, contact the Scottish Bowel Screening Helpline on 0800 0121 833 or visit www.bowelscreeningtest.org.

  • Single male office workers most at risk of male cancer

    Ok, 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!

    It’s Male Cancer Awareness Week from 7th to 13th April 2014 – and to mark this occasion, there’s some startling new research available.

    Orchid, the male cancer charity has surveyed 3000 men, and the alarming fact is that those most at risk from 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 – learn what you feel like now, and use this to ensure you pick up on any changes, any new lumps n bumps. It could be a life saver!

    Some surprising insights in the research include single men being less likely to recognise 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, 1 in 3 men would tell their mum or partner if they found a lump – rather than their GP!

    That last one – seriously? Come on men – what’s your mum 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 favourite piece from this research is that London men are less ball aware than other areas of the UK? Really? And here was I thinking… no, never mind…

    Orchid states that awareness of this type of cancer has improved over the past few years, but the findings illustrate 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% curable – so get in there and feel a friend today. Just tell them you’re saving their life!

    To help ensure that happens, and help educate men out there, Orchid are launching their first freephone Male Cancer Helpline on 7th April. This Helpline is staffed 10am to 5pm every Monday and Wednesday – give ‘em a tinkle on 0808 802 0010 with your questions – or email them on 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.

    So boys, do your research, Google 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?