Liverpool and England striker, Peter Crouch, has kicked off the 2008 'Keep Your Eye On The Ball' Focus Fortnight (23 February-8 March), by calling for football fans across the UK to keep their balls in check, including fans of Chesterfield FC.

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The England forward met testicular cancer survivors in Liverpool to launch the Keep Your Eye On The Ball Focus Fortnight, an initiative backed by the Everyman Male Cancer Campaign, The FA and The PFA, urging men to check themselves and raise some funds for vital research into prostate and testicular cancer.

 

Crouch, who has joined other high-profile footballers, such as David James and Paul Robinson to back the campaign, said: "Men can be so vocal on the terraces but struggle to talk about their own health with their mates. It only takes a minute to check yourself and it's worth it, because in life you don't get extra time."

 

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Peter Crouch meets testicular cancer survivors Chris Baynes (L) and Ric Miskimmon (R)

 

Testicular cancer is the most common form of cancer in 15-44 year olds but if caught early, it has a 99% cure rate, making awareness of the symptoms essential. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, with over 35,000 men affected in the UK every year.

 

Clubs and supporters nationwide are being encouraged to put information about male cancer on their websites and in their programmes to help raise awareness. The Everyman Male Cancer Campaign is also encouraging men to log on to the Keep Your Eye On The Ball website and find out the signs and symptoms of testicular cancer.

 

Everyman spokesperson, Hannah Crabtree said: "Imagine a stadium the size of Anfield. Over half its capacity, 37,000 men, will be affected by male cancer every year. Hopefully, with world-class footballers like Peter Crouch spreading the message, more men will be aware of the signs and symptoms of the disease and catch it early."

 

To find out more about the signs and symptoms of male cancer and to get involved with Keep Your Eye On The Ball, visit www.keepyoureyeontheball.org

 

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MALE CANCER FACTS

 

Prostate and testicular cancer affect over 37,000 men a year in the UK. Awareness is crucial because the earlier cancer is detected, the better your chance of recovery.

 

Testicular cancer

 

Testicular cancer primarily affects younger men and is the most common form of cancer in men aged between 15 and 44.

 

Testicular cancer is still quite rare, with nearly 2,000 new cases a year in the UK.

Thanks to advances made at the Everyman Centre, testicular cancer is 99% curable if caught early. With treatment, the overall cure rate is over 95%.

 

Testicular cancer usually presents itself as a lump in the testicle so regular self examination can help to detect this cancer at an early stage.

 

Find out the facts about testicular cancer, including how to check yourself, at the Everyman website

  

Prostate cancer

 

Prostate cancer has overtaken lung cancer to become the most common cancer in men, with nearly 35,000 men diagnosed every year in the UK.

Around 10,000 men die from prostate cancer every year in the UK. This works out as over one man every hour.

 

The majority of men with prostate cancer are aged over 60 years. Although this cancer can also occur in younger individuals, it is very rare under the age of 50.

 

Unfortunately, early stage prostate cancer often does not cause symptoms. When they do occur they often include problems with urination which could also be caused by other, non-cancerous conditions.

 

Find out the facts about prostate cancer, including signs and symptoms that you should watch out for, at the Everyman website.

 

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