Hollard Daredevil Run to raise awareness about testicular and prostate cancer
PARKTOWN – Men of all ages, shapes and sizes are at risk of developing cancer, but it's time to understand the condition.
More than 14 million people with cancer are diagnosed annually around the world. This includes more than 100 000 South Africans as one in every eight men in SA is at risk of developing cancer.
Men of all ages, shapes and sizes, now more than ever, need to learn as much as possible about the illness and the preventative measures that could save their lives.
The Hollard Daredevil Run is a non-competitive event that takes place every year to raise awareness concerning testicular and prostate cancer in a lighted-hearted approach. The event also seeks to raise awareness of the importance of early testing and highlights important information that every man needs to know.
“It is important for us to help create awareness for people to look after themselves,” said Heidi Brauer, Hollard chief marketing officer.
Testicular cancers develop when cells in either one or both testicles become malignant. It is one of the most commonly diagnosed forms of cancer in men between the ages of 15 and 39. Men born with undescended testicles, either one or both, are at a higher risk of developing testicular cancer, as are those with a history of the illness in their families. Other risks include cases of severe trauma to the testicles and HIV infection.
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It is for this reason that men affected by any of these contributing factors visit their doctors regularly for checkups and tests. Other symptoms include pain in the testicular area and lumps in the testicles that can be easily identified by performing a self-examination at home after a warm shower or bath.
Prostate cancer is most commonly diagnosed in men over the age of 50 and while the illness mostly affects white men in this age group, there has been a significant increase in the number of black men diagnosed with the illness in recent years. Some early symptoms of prostate cancer are swollen legs and pain in the pelvic area and difficulty in passing urine.
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Prostate cancer is the more difficult type of cancer to catch early, so men over the age of 50 are urged to get regular checkups. Testing for prostate cancer includes the digital rectal exam and the prostate-specific antigen test.
Breast cancer among men is also common, although most people are not aware. The number of diagnosed cases in men has increased by more than seven per cent in 2011 and is a growing issue among men aged between 40 and 80. Men should also check their breasts for lumps or any sort of irregularity, especially if there is a family history of the illness or if they have ever been exposed to steroids or oestrogen.
Show your support for the men and boys in purple by emailing your comments about the Daredevil Run to the Rosebank Killarney Gazette at rkg@caxton.co.za
