A new health campaign is urging men across the UK to put down their smartphones and spend just one minute checking for testicular cancer symptoms, following shocking statistics that reveal most men prioritise social media over their own wellbeing.
The Alarming Statistics Behind The Campaign
The urgent call to action comes after a YouGov poll commissioned by HECK! Food revealed that only 36% of men check their testicles for lumps or changes at least once a week. This contrasts sharply with the 68% of men who find plenty of time to check their phones several times daily, often scrolling through TikTok, YouTube and other social platforms for sports scores (49%) and other updates.
More concerning still, 41% of men rarely check their testicles, while one in five admit they never check at all. These figures are particularly worrying given that testicular cancer is the most common cancer in men aged 15 to 34, with approximately 2,400 cases diagnosed annually in the UK according to Nuffield Health.
The CHECK! Campaign Taking Action
The YouGov poll of around 2,000 men was commissioned by HECK! Food, whose co-founder Jamie Keeble was diagnosed with the disease in 2015. Now the Yorkshire sausage and burger firm is determined to encourage men to check themselves and has teamed up with testicular cancer charity Cahonas to launch the CHECK! Campaign, timed to coincide with November's Men's Health Month.
The initiative aims to raise awareness of testicular cancer and promote the benefits of self-checks and early detection. In a clever marketing move, HECK! has even renamed its chicken sausage packs from HECK! to CHECK! featuring the message: "Don't be a chicken - check" and a QR code linking to life-saving information on the Cahonas website. A portion of proceeds from every pack sold will be donated to the charity.
The campaign will also include a 'Ball Bus-ter' tour - a bright pink minibus featuring a giant chicken and the CHECK! logo - which will visit Glasgow, London and Leeds, offering men the chance to speak with Cahonas members about self-checks and early detection.
Real Stories: Why Checking Matters
Ritchie Marshall, Founder and CEO of Cahonas, emphasises the campaign's importance: "We spend half our lives glued to our phones, scrolling through endless updates on social media, but barely a minute checking what really matters. At Cahonas, we want men to put down the phone, have a quick check of their testicles to make sure everything is as it should be. It only takes a minute, but that minute could save your life."
Jamie Keeble, co-founder of HECK!, adds: "This research shows that awareness is key, which is why we are launching our CHECK! campaign and sending our pink bus out on the road. Testicular cancer is on the rise and men can reduce their chances of dying simply by knowing what to feel for."
Keeble shares his own experience: "I found a small lump and immediately went to my GP and received my diagnosis. Even though a lot of stigma surrounds going to the doctor for such an intimate area, it's vital to be proactive if you find a lump. I am completely recovered now and my wife and I now have a child, which is amazing."
The 10 Symptoms Every Man Should Know
Men are being encouraged to check for 10 possible symptoms of cancer, including some they may not associate with the disease. The NHS says persistent lower back or abdominal pain can occur if someone has testicular cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes at the back of the abdomen.
Paul McCaffrey, 41, from Glasgow, was diagnosed with testicular cancer after developing a painful groin when he was 30. He recalls: "I started to feel a dull ache in my groin, but I just ignored it hoping it would go away. I had been training for a charity run and I just thought the pain was linked to that, but it started to get worse."
Paul, who has two children with his wife Pamela, eventually found the Cahonas Scotland website and followed their self-check instructions. "That's when I found a lump in my testicle. I then booked a GP appointment, but ended up cancelling it as I was too embarrassed. Two months passed before it got really sore and I just had to see a doctor."
After immediate referral to neurology, scans and a biopsy confirmed cancer. "I was told that it had also gone into my lymph nodes. I felt numb when I heard the news. The word cancer is hard to hear," Paul admits.
He underwent surgery to remove the testicle and two rounds of chemotherapy. "I was so relieved when I found out that I was cancer free and on the road to recovery. I am so grateful to Cahonas Scotland for saving my life with the information they provided."
Now working as a community engagement officer for Cahonas Scotland, Paul adds: "For a type of cancer that is treatable, it is saving your life to go and get checked. After everything had happened, I was so grateful to Cahonas that I started fundraising for them."
Paul's work has even brought him royal recognition. "I was privileged to be invited to a reception in April hosted by the King and Queen. King Charles asked me what I do and I replied: 'I talk balls for a living Your Majesty' and he erupted in fits of laughter."
"I'm coming up to 10 years cancer free and the whole journey has given me such a different outlook on life," Paul reflects. "I'd urge any man to get in touch if they need help or to follow the self-check videos on our website."
The CHECK! chicken sausage packs are available from Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury's, Tesco and Waitrose throughout November.
10 Symptoms of Testicular Cancer According to the NHS:
- A lump or swelling in your testicle
- Your testicle getting bigger
- An ache or pain in your testicle or scrotum
- Your scrotum feeling heavy, firm or hard
- An ache or pain in your back
- An ache or pain in your lower tummy
- Losing weight without trying
- A cough
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- A sore or swollen chest
The NHS emphasises that it's important to check your testicles regularly so you know what's normal for you, making it easier to notice any changes in size, appearance or feel.
