The boss of an Aberdeen-based oil and gas firm is to take part in a cancer charity Pants Walk this weekend to raise awareness of the importance of self-checking.
John Scrimgeour, who works for Petro-Canada in Aberdeen, was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2004. He believes that self-checking, which led to an early diagnosis and immediate treatment, saved his life.
John will be joining hundreds of other walkers at the second annual Pants Walk at the Duthie Park this Sunday, May 18, which is raising money for local urological cancer charity UCAN.
All participants will be wearing brightly decorated pants over their trousers as they complete laps of the park.
The walk aims to raise both cash and awareness of the symptoms and dangers of the main urological cancers, which include kidney, bladder and prostate as well as testicular.
Testicular cancer remains the most common cancer affecting young men aged between 20 and 44, but it responds particularly well to treatment, and more than 9 in 10 patients are cured.
John, 53, who is head of Petro-Canada’s North West Europe division, decided to seek medical advice after discovering an abnormality during a regular self-check.
He said: “While I was self-checking I noticed that something didn’t feel normal. I visited my GP who referred me to a specialist. After my visit to the specialist I was officially diagnosed with testicular cancer.
“The following week I underwent surgery to remove the cancerous testicle. I was put under general anaesthetic and was in hospital for just over a day. After the operation there was no pain to speak of and the only problem was I couldn’t put my seatbelt on as during the operation they enter through your stomach.”
John has to attend six-monthly checks to ensure the cancer has not returned but believes his early diagnosis could have been his saving grace.
“I am taking part in the UCAN Pants Walk because I think it is essential to increase awareness among male 18-25 year olds as they are the group most at risk and tend to consider the subject somewhat taboo.
“I would like to give my thanks to all at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, who have made my experience as hassle free as possible - keep up the good work!” he added.
Organisations across the North-east have also pledged support for Sunday’s Pants Walk and corporate teams from Shell UK, Wood Group, Robertson Construction and John Lewis are among those who have registered to join in.
Kate Synott, UCAN Fundraising Manager, added: “We are delighted to have John on board to take part in the Pants Walk this Sunday.
“Most cases of testicular cancer are in younger males but this just shows how cancer can affect anyone at any time and reinforces the need for self-checking and early diagnosis.
“Urological cancers kill around 18,000 people every year in the UK and this figure continues to rise. Men in particular are a key target as they are not always very good at talking about more sensitive problems, so by raising awareness through a family fun day like the Pants Walk we hope to reach more people, and ultimately save lives.
“As well as raising the remaining £700,000 to meet our target by the end of this year, we are focused on raising awareness of the signs and symptoms of urological cancers to help reduce the number of late diagnoses and improve survival rates.
“We hope to see lots of people getting involved in the Pants Walk on Sunday, supporting this important cause while having a laugh at the same time.”
The Pants Walk is open to everyone of all ages.
The entertainment will start at 12noon, with a bouncy castle and other entertainment including a Northsound roadshow and live music courtesy of local bands Outbox and classic rock band Estrella, who are in the middle of a schools tour with UCAN.
Walkers will be encouraged to complete as many laps of the park (about 800 metres) as they can between 1pm and 4pm.
Information stands about urological cancers will be available along with catering and trade stands.
UCAN was established in late 2005 to raise awareness of urological cancers and improve support and quality of life for patients by raising £2.6million to bolster NHS services.
The UCAN care centre, located in a purpose-built former ward bay at Ward 44 at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, was opened in January. The first urological facility of its type in the UK, the base is designed to provide newly diagnosed urological cancer patients with clear information and guidance.
Pants Walk sponsor forms can be downloaded from the UCAN website at www.ucanhelp.org.uk
Registration costs £10, which includes a pair of pants for you to decorate at home.
• For more information on how to get involved with supporting UCAN, visit www.ucanhelp.org.uk or www.bebo.com/UCAN-Help or call fundraising manager Kate Synott on (01224) 559312.