Did you know that most testicular cancer cases are reported in men between the ages of 15 and 38? That’s a lot younger than you thought, eh?
Our very own veteran radio jock and TV presenter, Mark Pilgrim, was diagnosed with stage 4 testicular cancer, which spread to his lungs and kidneys at the tender age of 18. Mark remembers the oncologist at the time telling him that the prognosis was “uncertain”. BUT, today Mark is a survivor, actively spreading the message of early detection and prevention of cancer to all South Africans.
Yeah, Mark joined the battalions of brave men running through peak hour traffic wearing nothing but their speedos! Why? Because cancer doesn’t choose age, colour, or body shape. Truth is 1 in 6 South African men are affected by it in their lifetime!
Rocking your speedo in the Hollard Daredevil Run is not just about doing something daring, fun and liberating – it’s about raising awareness and using the power of collective action to inspire change.
There are quite a few awareness drives such as the Daredevil Run in South Africa. According to Torsten Koehler, a cancer survivor himself, and founder of Love Your Nuts – an organisation aimed at providing education to young men about testicular cancer and lending support to those going through the recovery process –“Cancer is not a death sentence; most cases can be treated if caught early and there is much hope and support for each person along their cancer journey.”
BUT, the brutality of chemotherapy – all cancer treatments for that matter –makes any athletic event, speedo or not, look like a walk in the park. You often hear cancer described as a “battle” where you have to “fight” to survive. Here’s the thing. This particular “fight” is never fair.
There are certain steps that you can take to improve your odds and put you one step ahead of your “opponent”. Here are a few ways to fight back:
The best way to beat cancer is through early detection. Be aware of any changes in your body, never miss regular check- ups and don’t ignore warning signs.
Source: iconsa.co.za, takingthefearoutofcancer.com, www.mayoclinic.org, www.manabouttown.co.za, www.daredevilrun.com, www.verywell.com, www.loveyournuts.com, www.themarkgorryfoundation.co.uk, cancer.ucsd.edu, www.cansa.org.za, www.huffingtonpost.com, www.psychologytoday.com
DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is for educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are experiencing symptoms or need health advice, please consult a healthcare professional.