A Hunger Games star is collaborating with London charity Orchid to persuade men to talk about their testicles during Male Cancer Awareness Month.
Alexander Ludwig, who played District 2 tribute Cato, is backing the male cancer charity’s campaign to encourage fathers to natter about their nuts with their sons this February.
The charity is using humour to ensure men aren’t embarrassed when talking to their sons about symptoms of cancer with a video showing a dad awkwardly trying to broach the subject with his sons.
TALK BALLS: Campaign video urges fathers to chat to their sons about it
Alexander said: “I know it’s not a comfortable subject to talk about, but we need to talk about it because testicular cancer affects thousands of men and their families each year.”
And although the thought of talking balls might make you titter, the campaign has a very serious message to send.
PHALLIC DINNER: Variation on the usual meat and two veg
According to Orchid 2,200 young men aged 15-44 are diagnosed with testicular cancer each year, but 76% of parents said they would sooner refer their child to a GP than raise a health-related concern with them directly.
Orchid chief executive Rebecca Porta said: “Approximately a third of parents say that they did not feel confident discussing how to check for the signs and symptoms of serious and sensitive conditions like testicular cancer with their children, despite this being the most common cancer to affect young males.
“Talking to your son openly about the signs and symptoms of testicular cancer could be crucial in leading to early detection of a lump or an abnormality.
THAT’S NUTS! A third of parents said weren’t confident broaching the topic
“If caught early, the disease can be 98% curable.”
For advice and support on testicular cancer visit www.orchid-cancer.org.uk
Video and images courtesy of Orchid, with thanks
