Football to put the boot into cancer

A new scheme supported by football clubs across England will help educate men about the symptoms and risks of ‘male’ cancers and encourage them to present earlier with their symptoms, Secretary of State for Health Andy Burnham announced today.

The new one year pilot initiative Ahead of the Game – Organise Your Defence will use the appeal of football to improve men’s knowledge of the signs and symptoms of lung, bowel and prostate cancers in men aged 55 and over who are most at risk of dying from these cancers.

The Football Foundation will run the pilot scheme, which will raise awareness of these symptoms in a variety of ways including nurses giving out information and free health tests at matches and community road shows.

Launching the project at Portsmouth Football Club, Health Secretary Andy Burnham said:

“Currently over 60,000 men get these cancers every year - that’s enough to fill the average football stadium twice. By raising awareness of the symptoms and making earlier diagnoses, we can improve the chances of survival. Ahead of the Game is a fantastic initiative which will use the massive appeal of our national game to raise awareness of cancer and help save lives.”

Chief Executive of the Football Foundation Paul Thorogood said:

"Men are still, all-too-often, unaware of the early signs and symptoms of cancer and uncomfortable about seeking help at an early enough stage.

“Football has proven to be an extremely effective vehicle to reach very large audiences. In this case, to get the message to high risk groups, such as men over 55, about what the early signs of cancer are, and how essential it is that they should present themselves to their doctor as early as possible to improve their chances of beating it.

"This unique partnership between football and the Department of Health will go a long way towards reinforcing the understanding of what to look for and to ensure that men stay Ahead of the Game on cancer."

Campaigner for the Bobby Moore Foundation, Stephanie Moore said:

“I fully support this campaign which I hope will save the lives of thousands of men.

“Cancer can be a daunting thing to think about and I understand that some men shy away from talking about it but I hope that through football we can break through these barriers.”

For more information, visit footballfoundation.org.uk.