Monday 17 September 2001
Don't be alarmed if you see a team of policemen cycling through Shrewsbury today! (17th September) The group, headed by Detective Paul McConnell, is raising money for the everyman, male cancer awareness campaign by taking part in a gruelling cycling tour that will take them from John O'Groats to Lands End.
Named the End to End Challenge, the aim of the ten-day trip is to raise both research funds and awareness of male cancers. Detective McConnell who has suffered from testicular cancer, and a team of fellow officers from the Serious Crime Group have been gathering sponsors and organising a range of charity events in an attempt to reach their target of £10,000.
Paul and his team have had a fantastic reception in every town visited so far and they are hoping that the people of Shrewsbury will come out to support them and also give generously to this important cause:
"I'm urging everyone to cheer us along our journey but most importantly we hope to make men sit up and listen. Having suffered from testicular cancer I know that catching it early is vital. Men need to be aware of the symptoms and we need much more money so that the scientists can find out what causes this dreadful disease."
Paul continues to have regular check ups but it seems that luckily his cancer was caught at the early stages. If caught soon enough, the disease can have a 96% cure rate; therefore it is essential that everyone is aware of the symptoms.
Vital research is needed so that the scientists can understand more about both prostate and testicular cancers so that they can be treated more effectively. Statistics show that the incidence of testicular cancer is on the increase. Cases have risen by 70 per cent in the last twenty years but scientists are still baffled as to why this is.
The Institute has recently opened the UK's first dedicated Male Cancer Research Centre where research is carried out into many different aspects of male cancers. The centre needs £2 million annually and money raised from the End to End Challenge will go towards supporting this vital research.
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If you would like to give a donation to the End to End Challenge please call the everyman fundraising hotline on 0207 878 3810
Notes to editors
- If you would like to speak to an expert on male cancers please contact The Institute of Cancer Research press office on 0207 970 6030 or out of hours: 07721 747 900.
- If you would like to contact the cyclists whilst on route, please contact Andy Grant on 07747768756.
- The everyman campaign was set up by The Institute of Cancer Research in 1997 to raise awareness of and funding for male cancers.
- Testicular cancer is the most common cancer amongst young men aged 20 - 35. Cases have risen by 70% in the last 20 years but doctors do not know why.
- Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men, with 21,400 new cases diagnosed every year.
- The Institute of Cancer Research is a centre of excellence with some of the world's leading scientists working on cutting edge research. It was founded in 1909 to carry out research into the causes of cancer.