LEANNE CUMMING
Just when we thought the ALS ice bucket challenge could not be topped, a new campaign that requires men to post photos of themselves (clothed) groping their testicles has amused social networking sites. The new trend, titled #feelingnuts, is aimed at raising awareness of testicular cancer.
According to the article “Move over, ice bucket challenge: Guys are grabbing their nuts for a good cause” by Greg Seals on The Daily Dot, this campaign was started by a British organisation called Check One Two who recognised that there is a need to educate men about the dangers of testicular cancer. “Through the designated hashtag #feelingnuts, the group encourages guys and girls alike to post crotch-grab photos to social media and nominate others to do the same. In the process they’re hoping to remind guys to perform regular exams on their crown jewels,” says Seals. Check One Two also says that part of the challenge is to “share your hilarious pet names you have for your balls, tagging them [with] #feelingnuts and challenging others to do the same. After all, it’s been proven that once something has a name, you’re bound to take care of it.”
Check One Two says that there are six simple steps that males should perform to see whether or not their testicles are healthy. The first step is to check each testicle once a month after a warm shower or bath, because that is when the scrotum is most relaxed. The second step is to roll the testicles between your thumb and fingers. Check One Two says that you should not feel any pain while conducting this step. The third step is to remain calm if you notice that one testicle is bigger than the other, because this is normal. The fourth step is finding the epididymis, which is the soft tube that carries sperm out of the testicles. Check One Two says that you must not mistake this tube for a lump but that you should rather check around this area for any lumps as this is where they would most likely appear. The fifth step is to check if there are any lumps. “These lumps may be as small as a piece of rice or a pea,” says Check One Two. The sixth and final step is to go to a doctor if you notice any differences in your testicles. “If you notice any swelling, lumps, or changes in the size or colour of a testicle, or if you have any pain or itchy areas in your groin, let your doctor know right away and ask for a blood test and a scan as it’s the only way they can tell if it is or isn’t cancer,” urges Check One Two.
According to Cancer.org, men between the ages of 20 and 34 are most likely to suffer from testicular cancer but “cancer can affect males of any age, including infants and older men.” Cancer.org also says that men who have previously been cleared of cancer in one testicle have an increased risk of getting cancer in the other testicle. Cancer.org informs us that other risk factors for getting testicular cancer include a family history of testicular cancer, although “very few men with testicular cancer have a family history of it” says Cancer.org.
MedicalNewsToday.com says that treatment for testicular cancer can only be given after identifying the stage of cancer a person may be in. The first stage is when the cancer occurs only in the testicles and has not spread beyond this. The second stage is when the cancer has reached the abdomen and the lymph nodes, and the third stage is when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body like the liver, brain and lungs.
“If you check yourself regularly for signs and symptoms of testicular cancer you are more likely to be one of those 95% of patients who make a full recovery if you do develop testicular cancer,” says MedicalNewsToday. com. South African DJ, TV presenter, motivational speaker and voice artist Mark Pilgrim was diagnosed with testicular cancer at the age of 18, which spread to his lungs and kidneys. “Mark has long been actively working to spread a message of early detection and prevention of cancer to all South Africans in partnership with CANSA Shavathon, Movember, and recently Etana’s DAREdevil Run” says CANSA.
Celebrities who have so far participated in the #feelingnuts challenge include Jamie Oliver, Ricky Gervais, Will Arnett, Union J, and McFly’s Dougie Poynter along with his girlfriend Ellie Goulding.
While some may participate in the fun and challenge their friends to top them, others think that these challenges are repetitive and a waste of time and money. Even though the #feelingnuts campaign is not collecting donations like the ALS ice bucket challenge, it hopes to go viral and create awareness for testicular cancer.
Photo: Eddie Mafa
