Peter Crouch calls for support in new cancer campaign

Feb 26 2008 by Clare Hickie, Liverpool Daily Post

LIVERPOOL and England striker Peter Crouch has kicked off the 2008 Keep Your Eye On The Ball Focus Fortnight.

The England forward met testicular cancer survivors in Liverpool to launch the fortnight, an initiative backed by the Everyman Male Cancer Campaign, the FA and the PFA.

The campaign runs until March 8 and is urging men to check themselves and raise some funds for vital research into prostate and testicular cancer.

Crouch, who has joined other high-profile footballers such as David James and Paul Robinson to back the campaign, said: “Men can be so vocal on the terraces but struggle to talk about their own health with their mates. It only takes a minute to check yourself and it’s worth it.”

Testicular cancer is the most common form of cancer in 15 to 44 year olds but if caught early, it has a 99% cure rate, making aware- ness of the symptoms essential.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, with more than 35,000 men affected in the UK every year.

Clubs and supporters nationwide are being encouraged to put information about male cancer on their websites and in their programmes to help raise awareness.

The Everyman Male Cancer Campaign is also encouraging men to log on to the Keep Your Eye On The Ball website and find out the signs and symptoms of testicular cancer.

Everyman spokesperson Hannah Crabtree said: “Imagine a stadium the size of Anfield. Over half its capacity, 37,000 men, will be affected by male cancer every year. Hopefully, with world-class footballers like Peter Crouch spreading the message, more men will be aware of the signs and symptoms of the disease.”

Everyman is a campaign run by The Institute of Cancer Research, to raise awareness and fund research into testicular and prostate cancer at The Everyman Centre - Europe's first and only centre dedicated to male cancer research.

TO FIND out more about the signs and symptoms of male cancer, visit www.keepyoureye ontheball.org

richarddown