Comment: | Orchid is the only registered charity dedicated to funding research into diagnosis, prevention and treatment of testicular, prostate and penile cancer and to increase public awareness of these previously neglected diseases.
In the last twenty years, cases of prostate cancer have increased dramatically and it is becoming the most important cancer risk in men. Testicular cancer is life threatening and is the highest cancer risk for young men between fifteen and forty. Though curable, more than a quarter of the patients delay seeking treatment because of lack of knowledge or embarrassment, making treatment more complicated and distressing. Penile cancer, though rare, usually presents late at a stage when the only treatment is surgery.
The charity has established a male cancer research programme at Barts and the London Hospitals. The next target is an expansion of their clinical research, education and awareness programmes. Orchid Cancer produces regular newsletters, as well as leaflets on prostate and testicular cancer and a popular educational DVD about testicular cancer awareness. |
