Time for this killer disease to meet its match

But a new initiative in Yorkshire aims to break the taboo and is taking the doctor to the patient.

In what is believed to be a first, doctors are running a testicular cancer clinic at a professional football match.

Doctors will be on hand before Leeds United's match with Brentford on Saturday, March 6, to show fans how to check themselves for signs of testicular cancer.

The clinic is part of United's link-up with Yorkshire Cancer Research, Britain's largest regional cancer research charity. The aim is to raise awareness of the cancers that affect men.

Testicular cancer is one of the most treatable forms of the disease, provided it is detected early enough.

It affects mostly men aged between 20 and 35. Ex-Arsenal, Celtic and Wales striker John Hartson and Hull City keeper Matt Duke have both suffered from the illness in recent years.

The clinic will be led by TV doctor Barbara Murray – who featured in the BBC1 programme Street Doctors which ran for three series between 2007 and 2008.

"As doctors, we have a wider responsibility than just our patients in our own area," explains Dr Murray.

"We have a duty to spread our knowledge as far as possible. If we can do it and save one life, then it's worth the effort."

She says her time on Street Doctors should hold her in good stead, although she has never taken on an entire stadium of football fans before, but at 4ft 8in she doesn't believe she is very intimidating.

"Men are still pretty bad at going to the doctor, so we are taking the doctor to them.

As doctors we talk about men's health all the time and I am not at all embarrassed and it is important that we do not embarrass any of the men who might want our help."

On the day of the match, fans making their way into the ground will be approached by doctors and asked whether they check themselves regularly for signs of testicular cancer and, if not, whether they would like to be shown. A caravan or booth will be close by to allow private consultations.

Advice leaflets will also be handed out and, once inside the ground, posters, perimeter advertising, big screen adverts and an interview with Hull City's Matt Duke in the match-day programme will hammer home the message.

Clair Chadwick, head of marketing at Yorkshire Cancer Research said: "The idea of doctors asking fans on their way to a match whether they check their privates very often is clearly very amusing.

"But there's a serious side to this event. We're in the business of saving lives and if something like this raises awareness, it's a worthwhile thing to do."

Under the platform: Cancer. Let's tackle it, Yorkshire Cancer Research and Leeds United entered into a three-year partnership in January 2010.

The partnership is an attempt to use a major football club to raise awareness among male fans of the cancers most likely to affect them.

YCR also hopes the partnership will help to raise funds for ongoing research into cancer.

A spokesman for Leeds United FC said: "We are hoping that this partnership will create awareness of different forms of cancer.

"It's something that touches everybody in one way or another.

"Hopefully, people will take advantage of what's on offer at Elland Road."

TESTICULAR CANCER FACTS

Testicular cancer affects one in 450 men under 50 and is the most common cancer in men aged 15-45.

The number of cases in the UK has doubled in the past 20 years and about 2,000 new cases are diagnosed each year but only 70 men die of it.

It's a highly treatable condition. Men are now urged to check for the warning signs.

Harrogate-based Yorkshire Cancer Research (YCR), the UK's largest regional cancer research charity, raised almost 6.5m for the tax year 2008-2009.

The scientists and clinicians, funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research are among the world leaders in the field and the charity has committed 11m over the next five years to research teams across Yorkshire.

Donating to Yorkshire Cancer Research is easy – visit www.ycr.org.uk/ideas