A laddish website for lads' disease
- From: "MCP" <gf010w5035@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 6 Oct 2008 10:04:58 +0100
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7084798.stm
When Phil Morris got testicular cancer he was disappointed to find that
there were no websites to give him the help he felt he needed.
He did not just want the facts, figures and symptoms of the disease but to
be able to talk to others who had it.
He wanted a website that presented testicular cancer as a disease
predominantly affecting young men, talking to them in a language they
understood.
So, with the help of a number of pop legends, Phil set up his own website.
Targeted help needed
"There was nobody in my area who I knew had it," said Phil.
"There was no-one I knew to ask, 'What can I expect from this? What can I
expect from that?'
"All the websites I looked at were the same charity websites with the
symptoms."
When he first discovered a lump, Phil admits he was blase.
"I was in the shower when I found one of my testicles was a lot bigger than
the other and, being an ex-soldier, I just thought, 'Oh it will go away.'
The usual men's thing.
"But after three weeks it just hadn't stopped getting bigger and bigger so I
went to the doctor. He said it was just an infection and sent me away.
"About four weeks later I was having my treatment for a kidney stone and I
asked another doctor about my testicle," he said.
The doctor scanned the testicle, discovered cancer and three days later Phil
had the tumour removed.
Good prognosis
Phil is good friends with Steve White, Paul Weller's drummer in the Style
Council. He was invited backstage to meet the band at one of their gigs and
told them about his health problems and the lack of information. They said
they wanted to help.
"I told them that there was no-one to talk to, no information. I said there
are loads of breast cancer websites, with forums for survivors but there is
nothing for young men and it is a young man's disease.
"The average age for this cancer is between 15 and 35. I got it when I was
34.
"I told them there needed to be something more down to earth, more
approachable online and they said they would get me some money together if I
thought of a website.
"I said we need a proper lads type of website, where as soon as you go on
you start relaxing," he said.
So, four years ago, "Checkemlads.com." was born and Phil says it is growing
in popularity.
"On our website the men grab their 'nuts' and a speech bubble comes out
offering information about where to click for each section.
There are pictures of me when I was ill and the survivors' stories are
there.
"It is what we needed - a laddish approach, not a 'naughty lads' approach
but something that will appeal to lads.
"I also go to schools to give light-hearted talks.
"I don't start by saying testicular cancer. I get them relaxed because as
soon as you mention testicles they will look at the ceiling. So I will say
'bollocks' and I will say 'knackers'.
"I also do talks for the Army. I did one in front of Prince Harry," said
Phil.
Now Phil wants to set up a breast cancer website called 'Checkemgirls'.
Signs and symptoms
Martin Ledwick, head of Cancer Research UK's information nurses, said
getting the warning symptoms across about testicular cancer was crucial for
good survival rates.
"Testicular cancer is one of the few cancers that can affect younger men but
it is rare - around 2,000 new cases are diagnosed in the UK each year.
"The good news is that over 98% of men with testicular cancer are now
successfully treated.
"If you notice anything unusual, it's important to act right away and report
any changes to your doctor.
"Early detection and prompt treatment gives the best possible chance of
making a full recovery."
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