Panthers Back Health Campaign
SPORTS STARS BACK YOUNG MEN’S SEXUAL HEALTH CAMPAIGN
Stars from Nottinghamshire’s sports teams are urging young men to stay in control when it comes to their health, as part of a campaign for Everyman Male Cancer Awareness Month, which runs throughout June.
The Everyman campaign, supported by Nottinghamshire County Teenage Pregnancy Partnership aims to raise awareness of male cancers and gain funding for vital research to treat and prevent them. 
The Teenage Pregnancy Partnership is working with Nottingham Panthers ice hockey club, Nottingham Rugby club and Nottingham Forest to encourage young men to know the signs and dangers of Testicular cancer, which most commonly affects men under 35 years.
As part of this work, the sports stars are helping to promote the Partnership’s ‘Testicular Cancer: Do You Know Your Balls?’ leaflet uses a sporting theme provides easy-to-follow but detailed information, facts and guidance on the signs and symptoms of the disease, the importance of regular self-examination, as well as where to go for further advice, and the types of treatment available if testing does prove positive.
The leaflet is thought to be unique amongst leaflets about the disease, in that it specifically targets young men, who are traditionally reluctant to access health services*. Young men were involved in developing the leaflet, to ensure it reflects what they want and need to know about. Testicular cancer is highly curable when detected and treated early – it has almost a 100% recovery rate.
Wayne Stevenson, Training and Development Officer for Young Men, who leads on this work for the Partnership, said: “Research has shown that boys and young men often take less of an interest in their health than young women, partly because they want to maintain a ‘macho’ image and partly because they see asking for help as a sign of weakness.*
“With the support of male sports stars who young men often see as role models, we can encourage young men to look after their health, including their sexual health and feel more comfortable seeking and accessing support and advice from sources they trust.”
‘Testicular Cancer: Do you know your balls?’ is available free to services and youth settings across the county. It can be purchased nationwide, at a cost of 25p per leaflet or £22 for 100 leaflets. National and local services interested in the leaflet should call Nottinghamshire County Teenage Pregnancy Team
on 01623 627 322.