Hammo Backs Cancer Charity

Nottingham Rugby captain Craig Hammond has teamed up with sports stars from across the county to support Everyman Male Cancer Awareness Month in June.

Corey Neilson from Nottingham Panthers (left) and Calum Osbourne from Forest's coaching team (next to Craig) joined with Wayne Stevenson from Nottinghamshire County Teenage Pregnancy Partnership to urge young men to stay in control of their health.

The campaign aims to raise awareness of male cancers and gain funding for vital research to treat and prevent them.  

Nottingham Rugby Club joined with other top sports clubs from Nottingham to encourage young men to know the signs and dangers of testicular cancer, which most commonly affects men under 35.

 The stars are helping to promote the Teenage Pregnancy Partnership's ''Testicular Cancer: Do You Know Your Balls?' leaflet, which uses a sporting theme to provide easy-to-follow but detailed information, facts and guidance on the signs and symptoms of the disease, the importance of regular self-examination, as well as where to go for further advice, and the types of treatment available if testing does prove positive.

Wayne Stevenson, Training and Development Officer for Young Men, who leads on this work for the Partnership, said: "Research has shown that boys and young men often take less of an interest in their health than young women, partly because they want to maintain a 'macho' image and partly because they see asking for help as a sign of weakness. 

"With the support of male sports stars who young men often see as role models, we can encourage young men to look after their health, including their sexual health and feel more comfortable seeking and accessing support and advice from sources they trust."

'Testicular Cancer: Do you know your balls?' is available free to services and youth settings across the county. It can be purchased nationwide, at a cost of 25p per leaflet or £22 for 100 leaflets.

National and local services interested in the leaflet should call Nottinghamshire County Teenage Pregnancy Team on 01623 627 322.