Brave men in purple speedos run 5km male cancer awareness

The streets of Soweto were lined with purple on Friday by members of the Diepkloof Athletic Club bravely running 5km in purple speedos in aid of male cancer awareness in the 2023 Hollard Daredevil Run.

Satellite runs took place all around South Africa, from major centres to small towns and rural communities.

“The Hollard Daredevil Run has become a nationwide phenomenon since it first started in 2009, raising eyebrows and raising awareness about prostate and testicular cancer.

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“We set out this year to achieve the biggest and bravest run to date, and we have achieved just that. This run goes from strength to strength each year, and we cannot be prouder,” says Warwick Bloom, Head of Group Marketing at Hollard.

The Hollard Daredevil Run saw over 3 000 runners participating at Zoo Lake in Johannesburg, as well as teams in Pretoria, Durban, Gqeberha, Bloemfontein and everywhere in between. Participants were spotted running cancer outta their hoods in Despatch, Gonubie, Potchefstroom, Secunda, Sedgefield and even a team of game rangers braving a whole lot more by running through the Kruger National Park.

This year also saw more high schools taking part than ever before, with many schools and hundreds of learners in provinces around the country getting teams together to support the cause.

“Many men may be reluctant to talk about health issues or seek professional help. It is for this reason that cancer is often diagnosed later and perhaps at a more advanced stage.

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Detecting and treating these cancers early means better futures for men and their families around the country,” he says.

By 2030, prostate cancer is predicted to be the most common cancer in South Africa, with black African men having an estimated 60% higher risk for prostate cancer than other population groups.

The survival rate in men whose prostate cancer is detected early enough is 95%. While rare, testicular cancer is still the most common cancer affecting males between the ages of 15 and 35.

The survival rate for men who are diagnosed and treated for early stage testicular cancer can be as high as 98 percent.

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All proceeds from the Hollard Daredevil Run go to the Cancer Association of South Africa and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of South Africa, to fund testing in under-resourced areas and increase awareness, support and research.