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Hartson's cancer warning to men

(BBC 21/10/2009)

Former football star John Hartson has warned men who find a lump in their testicles to act. The retired Wales, Arsenal and Celtic striker, 34, said he took a "liberty" with his health when he did not act after finding a cancerous lump. He had emergency surgery after he was diagnosed with testicular cancer which had spread to his brain and his lungs. He is now leading a charity campaign to raise awareness of men's health issues and admitted: "I'd left it too late."

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Hartson 'ignored signs of cancer'

(BBC 12/08/2009)

Former Wales and Celtic footballer John Hartson has admitted he ignored signs of testicular cancer two years ago. Speaking to The Sun, the 34-year-old said he did not go to a doctor after finding a lump and only sought medical help after blinding headaches. Hartson, from Swansea, was released home from hospital on Tuesday after undergoing treatment for cancer. He is having chemotherapy after being diagnosed with testicular cancer which spread to his lungs and brain.

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Be a man and see your GP

(Daily Express 28/07/2009)

As ex-footballer John Hartson battles testicular cancer Robert Hamilton explains how early detection of the disease enabled him to make a full recovery. IT WOULD have been all too easy for Robert Hamilton to ignore the small lump in his groin. Work was hectic, he'd recently begun a new relationship and his spare time was taken up with boxing, playing football and golf. Yet the 26-year-old knew something was wrong as soon as he noticed the hard, painless lump in his left testicle.

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Doctor no

(BBC 17/07/2009)

When doctors first examined former footballer John Hartson last week, he was already in the advanced stages of testicular cancer, which had spread to his brain and lungs. Why do men commonly get medical help later than women? John Hartson went into Swansea's Singleton Hospital a week ago and doctors quickly established that he had testicular cancer which had spread to other parts of his body. Within days he'd had emergency brain surgery.

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Testicular cancer genetic advance

(BBC 01/06/2009)

Researchers have for the first time found inherited genetic factors which raise the risk of testicular cancer. A UK team found many testicular cancer patients shared common DNA variants on chromosomes five, six and 12 that healthy men did not have. This finding was echoed in a separate US study in the same journal, Nature Genetics, which highlighted two of the same variations. Both studies raise hopes of better treatments and diagnostic tests.

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England and Wasps rugby star Phil Vickery fronts cancer campaign

(Mirror 05/05/2009)

Former England captain Phil Vickery has joined forces with the male cancer charity Orchid to promote 'Tackle It', a campaign dedicated to raising the awareness of testicular cancer. Vickery's clothing company Raging Bull has designed a new leisurewear range to help raise awareness about the cancer, and drum up funds for Orchid. Phil Vickery MBE said: 'I am proud that Raging Bull is joining the fight against male cancer and backing the Tackle It campaign.'

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Cancer victory

(BBC 28/02/2009)

When Geoff Horsfield was diagnosed with testicular cancer at the age of 35, he thought his career as a successful professional footballer was over. But three months later, after getting the all-clear following an early diagnosis, he was back in the game having signed for Lincoln City.

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Single jab cancer therapy backed

(BBC 06/10/2008)

Several hundred men are diagnosed with testicular cancer (seminoma) each year in the UK. Doctors already offer either carboplatin or radiotherapy, but scientists needed long-term trial results to see which was the best. A major study found that the drug offered a similar relapse rate - but far fewer side effects. A leading expert said it could one day reduce the need for testicle removal.

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