Check Your Chaps 2016
Lorraine today launched Check Your Chaps and fronting this year's campaign is Emmerdale's Matthew Wolfenden and actress Gemma Oaten. Check Your Chaps is an initiative aimed at raising awareness of testicular and prostate cancer - two of the most common cancers in men.
We're encouraging viewers up and down the country to check their "chaps" regularly for early signs of these cancers, whilst dispelling embarrassment in the hope of saving countless lives.
How to perform a testicular examination
Following the success of last year's campaign, Matthew was keen to support Check Your Chaps as his character in Emmerdale, David Metcalfe, will be diagnosed with testicular cancer the same week the campaign launches.
"I wanted to get involved with Check Your Chaps as it's a great way to raise awareness of testicular and prostate cancer - two common cancers for men. Also, I am getting to know more about testicular cancer as my character in Emmerdale will discover he has the illness, ” David told Lorraine.
He continued: "As well as raising awareness about these cancers, the campaign informs men and their partners of the common signs and symptoms to look out for and what action to take if they are concerned."
During the first week of the campaign, Matthew will be meeting men who have had testicular cancer and provide advice on what to look out for.
The second week will focus on prostate cancer and actress Gemma Oaten will front that section of the campaign, drawing on her own personal experience following her father's diagnosis.
“I have seen firsthand the effects that prostate cancer can have as my dad had an aggressive form of the disease.," she told Lorraine. "The doctor said if it wasn't for mum insisting he get checked so soon he may not be here today, he was so lucky. I really am delighted to be a part of this campaign as it's so important for men and their partners to know what signs and symptoms to look out for.”
The Facts:
Testicular cancer
More than 2,200 men will be diagnosed with testicular cancer in the UK each year. It most commonly affects men between the ages of 15-45 and is statistically the most common cancer in men aged between 25-49 in the UK. Symptoms include a painless lump or swelling and discomfort in the testicles.
Prostate cancer
Every year over 44,000 men in the UK will be diagnosed with prostate cancer - that's more than 120 men every day! Every hour one man dies from prostate cancer – that's more than 10,500 men every year. It is the most common cancer in men in the UK and is estimated 1 in 8 men will develop the disease during their lifetime. These numbers are likely to increase dramatically over the next 5-10 years. Symptoms include needing to urinate more often and a weak flow.
Check Your Chaps is supported by Prostate Cancer UK and male cancer charity Orchid.