Rugby Players Go Balls Out Against Cancer
May 30, 2008
Leave it to British rugby players to put their balls on display to educate other men about testicular cancer. Testicular cancer is one of the leading cancers among men 14-40.
In this NSFW clip a rugby team disrobes with the help of a health professional to learn how to examine their testicles for lumps that may signal testicular cancer.
The clip is fun, sexy and informative. We need more of this kind of smart and honest stuff to educate men on how to keep themselves healthy.
Entry Filed under: Education, Health, Men, Sports, Video, YouTube. Tags: men's health, rugby, Sports, testicular cancer, Video, YouTube.
20 Comments Add your own
Leave a Comment
Some HTML allowed:
<a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <pre> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>
Trackback this post | Subscribe to the comments via RSS Feed
1.
Bostonian Queer in Dallas | May 31, 2008 at 4:23 am
This sort of PSA ad could never be shown in the USA. Hats off to the Brits for this sort of eye catching and fun method of teaching their men to be aware of this issue. No, here in our junior high locker room mentality nation this kind of thing could never be shown. Penises are visible. And we all know that Republicans think the penis is pornographic, flaccid, hard, penetrating, or just sitting there…it’s all porn in our culture.
2. aids-write.org » Blog Archive » lifelube: rugby team demonstrates testicular self-exam (894) | June 6, 2008 at 1:08 pm
[...] [many thanks to bloggernista for putting this on our radar! — Rugby Players Go Balls Out Against Cancer [...]
3.
John Munro | July 27, 2008 at 6:32 am
Play Rugby, Tackle Cancer is a grassroots effort to increase cancer awareness through the whole rugby community and show support to fellow ruggers that have had their lives impacted by cancer.
I have had personal experience where my life was impacted by cancer and the support from the Rugby community worldwide proved to me that Rugby is a vast family.
Since then, I have taken a position working with Cancer Research UK and meet every day people that have had their lives impacted or changed by cancer, including fellow rugby players.
Cancer is a disease that now affects 1 in 3 of us and the fight is long and hard. So I am delighted to have entered a team into this year Golden Oldies in Edinburgh from 1st September to 7th September.
http://www.goldenoldiessports.com/go_festivals/rugby_festivals/world_rugby_festival_08.htm
I have established the Crusaders RFC as a touring charity squad, where all our team members are made up from people whose lives have either been touched by cancer or know someone who has. We have squad members and supporters from all over, including California, South Africa, Australia and Canada.
Although Edinburgh will be our very first event, it won’t be our last and we plan to tour wherever we are invited throughout the UK and beyond. There’s nothing better than a good ‘old Vets tourney.
We are contacting you to ask whether you might have any “old boys” 35 and over, who would like to join us at the World Golden Oldies in Edinburgh this September. We understand that you may have entered a team already but there are many “old boy orphans” out there who are pining for a game and what better cause to lace the boots up again than to raise awareness for Cancer Research UK, while playing the game they love.
We are not after any funding, sponsorship or freebies. although will accept all of it, we want to get as many players and supporters together to join us in our aim to establish the Crusaders RFC as a team who love both the sport of rugby and a passion to raise awareness for a dreadful disease that affects so many friends and family.
I would be delighted if you could make your members aware of this event and that we are actively seeking players and supporters.
Play Rugby, Tackle Cancer
Kind Regards
John Munro
4. Another Reason to Play With Balls « Bloggernista | July 30, 2008 at 7:31 am
[...] Click here for info on examining your balls for testicular cancer. [...]
5. Those Cheeky Brits | February 4, 2009 at 10:48 am
[...] Ladies, you might like this. [...]
6. Rugby players and their testicles « The Brittle Hum of the Republic | February 4, 2009 at 3:15 pm
[...] Wednesday, February 4, 2009 by Bernie Latham http://bloggernista.com/2008/05/30/rugby-players-go-balls-out-against-cancer/ [...]
7.
Philip Allen | February 4, 2009 at 4:06 pm
This is an excellent and open approach to a very serious illness.I had testicular cancer 4 years ago.One of the hardest things to do is even talk about it. For men its just something thats very difficult to discuss.No man wans to admit his manhood is under threat. This ad however is very good.
8. Date Rape And Abortion No Match For Men Playing With Their Balls On British TV [Leftovers] | StalknBlog | February 4, 2009 at 7:17 pm
[...] people think you look older. • Please then go cheer up (if you’re into dudes, that is) with this video of naked British athletes playing with their balls for science, recommended by Andrew Sullivan. • [...]
9.
Paul | February 4, 2009 at 7:48 pm
Not just “ladies” who like it!
10.
Paul Downie | February 5, 2009 at 12:07 pm
I sent this email out to all my male friends a few weeks ago. I’m still limping a little, but feeling pretty lucky. I hope it helps guys to realize it’s not the end of the world, just take care of it, and quickly.
Fellas,
If you’re reading this, it’s because you’re a man that I know and care about, and I want to share my experience of the last two weeks with you, as it’s been pretty significant.
As an active person with a pair of testes, it’s quite normal to feel some pain or discomfort in the jewels and dismiss it, additionally when you have an active child with indiscriminate, flailing limbs, or if the work you do is physical, or you play any type of sport. It’s also easy to dismiss it if Lance Armstrong comes to mind, and the possibility of anything being actually wrong down there is enough to help you ignore it. I’m urging you not to.
On December 30th, just a little over two weeks ago, I went to see my GP for an annual check-up. As his gentle, gloved hand inspected the old cods, and Julianne Moore’s line in The Big Lebowski, “He’s a good man, Jeffrey, and thorough,” ran through my mind, the good Dr Lewis said something that I don’t think anyone ever wants to hear from the mouth of a medical professional.
“Have you ever noticed this mass on the right one?” asked my vigilant, and thorough physician.
“Ah, maybe, perhaps,” I replied, a feeling of mild dread washing over my body and mind.
An hour later I was at the NYU medical center on First Ave, having cold gel squirted on my nether regions by a stern Russian bird who couldn’t have been more business.
The doctor called a couple of hours later and gave it to me straight. He was pretty sure it was a Seminoma, which is a form of testicular cancer, and gave me the number of a specialist to call first thing in the morning.
Thinking back at that stage, I could remember, about four or five months ago, some swelling of the right nut, and some discomfort, but it seemed to go down somewhat, and to be honest, who the hell wants to go to their doctor’s office and ask him to have a feel, and invite that kind of trouble into their pants? Is it just me? Call me a pussy, but I think that foolishly I ignored it and hoped for the best.
By that stage, though, there’s really no going back. I console myself with the fact that, even if I had taken it to the doc at that point, the course of treatment would not have been altered.
To make a long story short, yesterday at 3pm, Dr Huang and his fine team at the NYU hospital spent about an hour and a half going to work on my groin in a way that all men live in fear of, replacing old righty with something not unlike what can be bought for 25 cents from one of those tiny vending machines at your local supermarket. I requested a blue swirly one, but he wasn’t making any promises. The left one appears perfectly healthy, and on it’s own will do the same job as would two. I asked the doctor if it will become a stronger, more virile “super nut”. He stared at me blankly for a couple of seconds and moved on.
The message is simple: Know your nuts. Roll them between your fingers all the time. Not during meetings, when visiting your grandparents, or standing at a bar, but as often as you can. If you notice anything slightly unusual, don’t fuck around. Next to skin cancer, testicular cancer is the most common form affecting men between the ages of 15 and 35, but it can get anyone at any age. That said, it is extremely treatable, you just need to get it early.
Timing is all-important here. Blood tests and CT scans show that this was caught relatively early, and that there hasn’t been any spread of cells. Today, I’m feeling a little tender and pretty damn lucky. Had my stubborn cowardice been left unchecked, and this had been allowed to develop much longer, I would most likely have had a gut and chest full of the big C in no time. Like any cancer, this can spread through the body and make a real mess. If this is the full extent of my treatment, and no chemo has to take place, then fertility will not be affected, they won’t have to open me up, and my pubes won’t fall out.
So please, gents, Touch them regularly, or get someone else to. Just be on the lookout, be honest with yourself, and take care. I hope this finds you all in the best of health.
All the best from your friend,
Paul.
11.
Midwest Man | February 5, 2009 at 12:11 pm
I can speak for the “junior high” americans who think this is disgusting. Who is being exposed to this gay porn and who is funding it?
Yes, these guys are young, supple, beefy, dumb jocks– just the kind of guys you want to use sexually and throw away– but how can you actually put their penises on display for kids and mothers to see? Why can’t you keep that to yourself?
12. Rugby Players Go Balls Out Against Cancer « Bart’s Nudes in the News Weblog | February 5, 2009 at 8:14 pm
[...] Rugby Players Go Balls Out Against Cancer [...]
13.
Laughtrack | February 6, 2009 at 1:33 am
An excellent ad!
@Midwest Man
Dude…chill. It’s NOT with a sexual intent. And anyway, why are you worried about a mother seeing this? Presumably, if she’s a mother, she’s seen a guy’s penis before at the very least.
Regarding a child seeing it, I can understand that. I don’t think it’s going to be airing during daytime TV, though, or on a kid’s channel.
I really think you’re reading far too much into this, by the way. Yes, sex plays into this (does anyone want to see an ugly guy’s nether regions?), but it’s not with the intent to use the men as anything more than a vehicle for message delivery. This isn’t about sating some base instinct, it’s saving people’s lives (doing it in a way people will look at, too!).
She-Who-Lives-Far-West-(and to the left)-of-You
14.
Craig | February 6, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Teaching guys how to check our veg for cancer is pornographic now? Oy.
Midwest Man, it’s called health promotion. Look up the difference, you might find it edifying or something.
15.
Geoff | February 7, 2009 at 4:15 pm
Midwest Man is an example of the stupid American who will be the death of us all.
16.
Glenn | February 8, 2009 at 7:54 pm
Awesome ad! I am going to send out to my email list…
midwest man’s response is typical of the narrow minded, ignorant and naive “middle America” that keeps us “behind” in so many social issues here in the states. Moms NEED to watch this ad so they can remind their sons to check for testicular cancer. And I doubt midwestern man wouldn’t dare remind his mom (or wife or daughter) to check for breast cancer b/c these kinds of conversations need to be “kept to themselves”… What a F*** UP! Go back to living in a cave – why don’t you?! Making this ad “dirty” so that “daughters don’t see it” MAKES it Pornographic… it’s all in how it is presented and perceived and what “baggage” we bring to it! GROW UP!
17.
Maria Bareiss | February 8, 2009 at 11:01 pm
I agree with the gentleman who said that this ad won’t be shown in the US. Even YouTube won’t let you view it unless you sign in and then state that you’re 18. If young men and women are to know what their parts feel like normally, then need to be made aware of the proper techniques to do BSE and TSE when they are about 12-13. Really, a young man could become a father, and not even know how to check for testicular problems… that is sad.
18.
mychal McEwen | February 11, 2009 at 8:10 pm
Midwest America is as ignorant as the Taliban , a bunch of religious freaks who would rather see death than information that would help humanity. Shove your bibles up your ass !!!!!!!!!!
19.
Heather Wootton | February 11, 2009 at 11:25 pm
I am so happy to see men at last learning how to check themselves for some of the awful “terrible c diseases” It’s about time. there certainly is nothing pornographic about it, and I am proud to have come from England. Good luck to all of you men out there, keep looking, but I hope you find nothing.
Heather
20.
reporter | March 8, 2009 at 12:53 pm
I must say this add was very informative and not sexual at all even though there where penises and scrotum’s involved. Whatever happened to beauty being naked… Is it now pornographic because we have entered into a new millennium?
The ignorance of mankind has set us back more than we will ever realize. But thank God. Because now it will take us slightly longer to blow ourselves up.