MALE soldiers are being reminded to check their personal “equipment” as part of a new Army campaign to raise awareness of male-specific diseases.
Every year 20 soldiers are diagnosed with testicular cancer, which is becoming an ever-increasing issue in young men aged 20-35 – the main age that our troops serve their country around the world.
When caught early enough there’s a 90 per cent survival rate, but male soldiers are often less likely to seek medical help and instead try to “tough it out”.
The Army’s awareness campaign has initially focused on testicular cancer and is urging soldiers to think about their health differently.
Light-hearted posters and leaflets have been produced to educate soldiers about how to carry out self-checks and highlight what to look for, helping to keep male-associated diseases such as testicular and prostate cancer in check.
Let your husband, partner, boyfriend, son or brother know where they can get more advice if they need it.
For further information, visit the charity checkemlads.com where fellow Service personnel share their stories of overcoming testicular cancer, or check out the health pages online at www.army.mod.uk
DID YOU KNOW?
More than 95 per cent of men with testicular cancer are cured, compared to less than 70 per cent in the early 1970s. Death rates from the disease have fallen by 80 per cent since the mid-1970s.