Firstly, remember to join the Daredevil Run next year…

It goes without saying that the Daredevil Run is always an occassion on which guys have an absolute jol while raising awareness of prostate and testicular cancers.

This year, a whopping 3 970 men and boys registered for the event, and over 300 PSA blood tests were completed. This is top-notch, guys – well done to all.

If you missed this year’s event, remember that next year is the 10th Hollard Daredevil Run.

And don’t be intimidated by the thought of jamming those jewels into a Speedo and hitting the tarmac wearing nothing but shoes and a swimming costume.

It takes boytjies of all shapes and sizes to run cancer straight outta town.

Without our brave Jozi gents there’d be no event, and without the event there’d be no fundraising for the Hollard MANVan, a compact mobile clinic that can access far off venues to provide education, awareness, PSA blood tests, and so much more.

Brief recap

Time is always in short supply, so an extremely short reminder about the symptoms men and boys should look out for is provided below.

Testicular cancer

If caught early, the prognosis for testicular cancer is really positive. For example, in developed nations, the 5 year post-diagnosis survival rate approaches 95%, and if the disease hasn’t metastasised at the time of diagnosis the survival rate only increases.

Symptoms to look out for include:

• Lumps and nodules (smooth, rounded masses) in one or both of the testes

• The lump/nodule may present with pain or without pain

• A swollen testis

• A sensation often described as “heaviness” in the scrotum

• Pain in the scrotum and/or lower abdomen

• Pain in the lower back resulting from the cancer spreading to lymph nodes

• Changes in the voice and facial and body hair in young boys

• An enlargement of the breast tissue

How to complete a self-examination:

• The preferred time for self-examination is after a warm bath or shower. This ensures that the testes haven’t ascended to regulate their temperature

• Examine each testicle separately

• Use both hands to roll the testicle gently between the thumbs and fingers

• Feel for lumps, nodules, swelling or any other change in the testicles

Prostate cancer

Prostate cancer, like testicular cancer, has a very encouraging 5 year post-diagnosis survival rate if caught early enough. Unfortunately, if the cancer has metastasised to distant parts of the body, the 5 year post-diagnosis survival rate drops from almost 100% (in developed nations) to about 29%.

One of the big problems with prostate cancer is that in the early stages of the disease, there may be no presentation of symptoms at all – which is why regular and comprehensive screening is vital.

Screening is done with both a PSA blood test and a quick-n-easy digital rectal exam. If symptoms do present, they may include the following:

• Difficulty urinating (weak or hesitant urination)

• Frequent night urination

• Sudden, urgent need to urinate

• Breaks in the urination stream (start and stop cycles)

• Pain in the groin, abdomen and/or lower back

• Pain and/or discomfort in the penis or testicles

• Painful ejaculations

• Erectile dysfunction

• Decreased urinary stream

• Blood in semen

• Blood in urine

• Raised Prostate-Specific Antigen levels

• Bone pain

Being aware of testicular and prostate cancer is the first step towards early detection, and early detection could save your – or a loved one’s – life. So, what’s the bottom line? Simply put, don’t be afraid to speak to your doctor about cancer, and get yourself checked.

See you at the 2020 Hollard Daredevil Run!

Links to the full articles published in the lead-up to this year’s event

If you missed the information-rich articles about male cancers leading up to this year’s event, feel free to follow these links to find out more about:

• Testicular cancer;

• Prostate cancer;

• The Big 5 male cancers.