Sky TV sport presenter urges self-checks

Sky TV sport presenter urges self-checks
Media Release
Thursday 21 November, 2013

While mothers are well-versed in the idea of advising their daughters to check for abnormalities in their breasts, they often don’t think to tell their sons to do the same with their testicles.

A random survey, undertaken at a recent health promotion during The Man Show in Palmerston North, indicated that nine out of 10 parents did not even think about testicular cancer being a threat to their sons.

“They giggled at signs which read, ‘Hey Mum tell your son to check his nuts,’ but neither they nor any of the males talked to, had ever educated their sons in checking for the telltale signs of testicular cancer,” said Cancer Society Movember Ambassador, John McBeth.

In the month of Movember, which focusses on men’s health, Mark Stafford is keen to spread the word to young men. Stafford, the TAB’s SKY sport presenter has agreed to become a Testicular Cancer Ambassador for the Cancer Society. He was diagnosed at 33 and at the time had no idea what the strange lump in one of his testicles was.

“It took a while for me to be convinced I had something wrong, but eventually I visited my doctor and everything was sorted.”

Stafford feels it is important for those who’ve had testicular cancer to get into the community and tell their story. He knows of a 14 year old who was recently diagnosed and is well aware of several well-known New Zealanders who’ve had the cancer.

“All Black Aaron Cruden is probably the most famous person of the moment, but there are quite a few of us out there. We need to be telling parents, and teachers too, that boys and young men need to check themselves for any signs of testicular cancer. If it is noticed early there’s almost 100 per cent chance of making a full recovery.”

In 2010, 166 men were diagnosed with testicular cancer and 10 died.

Schools or organisations that would like a Movember ambassador to visit to tell their story are welcome to contact John McBeth john.mcbeth@cancer.org.nz

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