Cancer warning for men

A rugby legend is calling on Paisley gents to check themselves, or face the consequences.

Former Scots Rugby Union number 8, Eric Peters, is urging blokes to check for any unusual testicular lumps and bumps.

A new survey is showing a majority of rugby players, and men, are not regularly checking themselves out.

Research by Orchid – Fighting Male Cancer - reveals that only 37 per cent of rugby players regularly inspect themselves, meaning almost two thirds of men are not – which could be putting lives at risk.

Eric was diagnosed with testicular cancer during rehabilitation for shattering his knee.

He went to get it examined, was diagnosed with early stage testicular cancer and subsequently successfully treated for the disease – returning to play rugby for club and country.

Eric said: “The reality is that we need more men of all sports to be comfortable with holding more than just a rugby ball in their hands.

“I survived testicular cancer because I knew the importance of getting checked out at the earliest opportunity, and I caught mine in the early stages.

“Self-checking is quick and easy and it could mean you spot something early that saves your life.”

Testicular cancer most commonly affects men between the ages of 15- 45 and, if caught at an early stage, men can expect a high cure rate with 98 per cent surviving a diagnosis.

Monthly self-checking is therefore recommended as the best way to achieve early detection.

For more information, visit www.yourprivates.org.uk