Men's health lead urges male officers to 'know your balls'

26 April 2024

The Federation’s men’s health lead Zac Mader says every month should be Testicular Cancer Month as he encouraged male officers to regularly check themselves.

Zac was speaking after a successful Know Your Balls seminar held by the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) to raise awareness of testicular cancer and how to check for it.

Attended by hundreds of Federation reps and members, it was organised for Testicular Cancer Month, which is held every year in April.

Zac said: “It’s really important as a Federation and a men’s health group to remind people that it’s Testicular Cancer Month every month of year – not just in April.

“Men’s health matters. There’s a lot of work to be done in the police service around men’s health and this seminar is part of that.”

The seminar heard from former Wales international footballer John Hartson, who spoke about his diagnosis with testicular cancer.

The former Arsenal, West Ham, and Celtic forward talked about how he initially ignored the warning signs when he felt a lump in 2004 and how, by the time he was diagnosed in 2008, the disease had spread to his lungs and brain.

Hartson spoke about his treatment and how he spent six weeks in hospital and underwent two emergency surgeries.

“I was very blessed to come through that,” he said. “The reason I’m telling people this is because I never went to the doctor when I first felt a lump.

“It’s imperative if you get a lump on your testes you see someone. For me, not getting a diagnosis early nearly cost me my life.”

Hartson has since set up the John Hartson Foundation to raise awareness of the symptoms of testicular cancer and therefore help with early detection.

“I’ve played at the highest level of football and won 50-odd caps for my country and I’m very proud of what I achieved and made my parents proud,” he said.

“But I feel as if I’ve achieved more after football.

“I’ve raised more than £1 million through the John Hartson Foundation.

“I set it up because how do you thank the oncologists and surgeons for saving your life? It’s phenomenal what they do every day and it’s overwhelming the amount of support we’ve had.”

The seminar also heard from PC Naz Choudhury, of Hampshire Police, who spoke powerfully about his diagnosis and treatment for testicular cancer in 2021.

Naz told how he was prompted to get himself checked out after seeing a poster in a urinal at the police station he was based at, encouraging men to check themselves.

He also spoke about the support he got from family and friends while undergoing his treatment.

He said: “I was very fortunate. I had close friends who took me into hospital every day and brought me back.

“I was in low mood going in because I didn’t want to, but I had to. They were great.

“I had a lot of support from my close family as well. For example, I needed physical support because I couldn’t get up after each of my chemotherapy treatments.

Former Wales footballer, John Hartson.

“The mental support I got from my work colleagues was second to none.

“Organisationally as well, knowing I didn’t have to worry about being off sick.”

The seminar kicked off with Professor John Harrison, the national police chief medical officer, providing expert guidance on techniques for men to check their testes.

Inspector Paul Bromell and PC Ali Rowse, from Hampshire Police, talked about their experiences and their journey in setting up a support group in their Force.

The seminar also heard about the support that’s available through Flint House, which provides physical rehabilitation and mental health support to serving and retired police officers.

The event concluded with a presentation from sponsors HSF Health Plan about its health cash plan schemes.

The seminar is available to watch again.