Page 26 - Phonebox Magazine January 2011

OLNEY’S BALLS
TesTicular cancer is most common in men aged between 15 and 44 and its cause is unknown.
although it is quite a rare cancer with around 2,000 new cases a year, it is on the increase, and the number of cases has doubled since 1975. With chemotherapy treatment it is 97% curable and is unlikely to return and if caught in the early stages can be 99% curable. sadly, even with this positive outlook 70 deaths a year are still related to this form of cancer.
Just before christmas 2009 i was sitting at home and felt a desire to scratch my testicles (as all men do especially when watching the football!) when i felt a nobbly bit on my left testicle! i remember thinking “Oh this is strange” and although not really concerned i decided to check this with my doctor at an appointment i had already made on christmas eve.
My GP also felt the small lump and although he told me it was probably just a cyst, he double checked by sending me for an ultrasound in the new Year.
it was at this point my worst fears were realised and the cyst was in fact diagnosed as a lump. This diagnosis was then followed with a cT scan, to check on the extent of the cancer and within a few weeks i saw a consultant and was then whipped into surgery to have my left one removed.
i hardly had time to take a breath, and it was obviously a very tough time for me, my family and my friends. i really needed their support during this time, as i felt gutted at having a prosthetic testicle in place of my real one, and only one of my own that functioned normally. i believed that i would not be able to have children of my own, which i so desperately wanted, and at 24 although happy to be alive, i felt this was not really fair.
still you have to stay positive and committed to living and i have returned to work and continue on the road to recovery. i see a consultant in northampton on a regular basis and each month i have still been fighting against having extensive chemotherapy by positive thinking, lots of exercise and eating a good diet. (especially carrots, good for the immune system!)
The extra good news to my story is that i am expecting my first child in December 2010. a truly miracle baby!
My aim is to raise awareness of Testicular cancer in men, beginning with those in Olney and to reach as many others who will listen. as one of Olney’s PcsO i have already made some great links with the community. several groups have already expressed an interest in helping me to do this and i hope that we will not only be able to raise awareness of how to spot Testicular cancer, but also to raise funds to help with the cure and support those who need treatment.
PCSO Chris Ward
in 2011 i would like to hold a series of events/tournaments around the title OLNEY’S BALLS
i have already received great encouragement and support from members of the community, and interest from the local rugby, Football and Tennis clubs and other voluntary groups.
The planning is still at an early stage; however i would like to hear from anyone who would be interested in supporting this aim and would welcome other ideas
so if you would like to help say
BALLS TO CANCER
Then please contact me on 07814851161 or come and drop me your details into the community police station on the High street and i will be happy to contact you.
if we men can check ourselves each day and watch out for any sort of abnormalities, not just swellings then we can cut the numbers of deaths caused by testicular cancer. Chris Ward
For further information on Testicular cancer
http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Cancerinformation/ Cancertypes/Testes/Testicularcancer.aspx
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