Challenge for men to kick cancer out
dubai — One in three men will develop cancer once in their lifetime.
Kick Cancer, a new campaign from Shanab, a men’s health initiative by Friends of Cancer Patients (FoCP) UAE, addresses prostate and testicular cancer and has launched a campaign in schools to create awareness.
The campaign will educate UAE students about the positive effects of early diagnosis. “Facts speak for themselves,” said Haya Merai, project manager of Kick Cancer, FoCP.
“Local and international research have shown us that prostate and testicular cancer continue to be among the top cancers affecting our male population,” she said, adding that these two types of cancer are also among the easiest to detect and treat if diagnosed early.
“And this is why we urge men to go for regular check-ups. We urge the community to also take an active role in encouraging families, friends and loved ones to go for screenings. Early detection is the difference between life and death,” she added.
The first 100 men who register for the FoCP campaign will receive a free cancer screening. Anyone who signs up after can still get 50 per cent off their screening until May 2018.
Those interested can sign up here http://kickcancer.ae/cancerscreening/
register for free
The global Kick Cancer campaign taps into the emotive force of football as a catalyst to spread awareness that one in three men will develop cancer in their lifetime and that early detection can save lives.
Since the campaign was launched, it has been using creative and powerful tools to communicate its messages. One of which is through the #BinChallenge, a viral activation that allows participation from anyone and everyone from around the world through social media.
The simple mechanics of kicking a ball that represents cancer, making sure it lands in the bin, and tagging three friends to do the challenge has caught the attention and support of local and international celebrities including Luis Suarez, The F2, Kris Fade, Anas Bukhash, Sherif Fayyed, Frédéric Kanouté, Najmeddin Al Haddad and more.
Men lack awareness
Testicular cancer is the number one cancer that affects young men between the ages of 15 and 35; most men are completely unaware of it. The problems can start at any age, and if left untreated, it can even be fatal.
Worldwide, there are 48,500 new patients diagnosed with testicular cancer each year; 8,900 of these men will die.
As for prostate cancer, it mainly occurs in older men. About six cases in 10 are diagnosed in men aged 65 or older, and it is rare before age 40.
Self-examination and digital rectal examination/prostate specific antigen) are two major tests for early detection of prostate cancer. However, both types of cancer are curable if detected at the early stages.
asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com
Research has shown us that prostate and testicular cancer continue to be among the top cancers affecting our male population.”
Haya Merai, project manager, FoCP