A new campaign is urging men in Yorkshire and the Humber to put down their phones and check their testicles, as testicular cancer remains the most common cancer in men aged 15 to 34.
A YouGov poll of around 2,000 men found that 73% check their phones many times a day and 43% check their bank balance several times a week. Only 16% check their testicles weekly, and 24% never check at all.
HECK! Food commissioned the research. Co-founder Jamie Keeble was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2015 and said: “This research shows that awareness is key, which is why we’re launching our campaign and taking our pink bus out on the road. Testicular cancer is on the rise and men can reduce their chances of dying simply by knowing what to feel for. I found a small lump and immediately went to my GP and received my diagnosis. Even though a lot of stigma surrounds going to the doctor for such an intimate area, it’s vital to be proactive if you find a lump. I’m now fully recovered and my wife and I have a child – something I’m incredibly grateful for.”
HECK! has joined with testicular cancer charity Cahonas to launch the CHECK! campaign for Men’s Health Month. The brand has renamed its chicken sausage packs from HECK! to CHECK!, with the message “Don’t be a chicken – check!” and a QR code linking to information from Cahonas. A portion of each sale will support the charity.
The campaign also includes the Ball Bus-ter Tour. A bright pink minibus featuring a giant chicken will visit Glasgow, London and Leeds, giving men the chance to speak with a nurse and members of Cahonas about self-checks and early detection.
Ritchie Marshall, Founder and CEO of Cahonas, said: “We spend half our lives glued to our phones, scrolling through endless updates, but barely a minute checking what really matters. At Cahonas, we want men to put down the phone and have a quick check of their testicles to make sure everything is as it should be. It only takes a minute, but that minute could save your life. We are proud to work with HECK! again and this November as they rebrand to CHECK! to help spark conversations and remind men to take action.”
CHECK! chicken sausage packs will be sold throughout November at Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose. More details are available at www.heckfood.co.uk and www.cahonasscotland.or
