Testicular Cancer Foundation asks the public to #GOBALLSOUT for International Testicular Cancer Awareness Month

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, April 4, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Testicular Cancer New Zealand has today launched #GoBallsOut, a provocative social campaign for International Testicular Cancer Awareness Month, which encourages young men to exercise to reduce the risks of Testicular Cancer and think about checking their testicles. The campaign seeks to do this by:

• Asking people to walk, run, cycle, skip, kayak the outline of a "Cock & Balls" using a fitness App such as Strava, MapMyWalk, Runtastic etc.
• #GoBallsOut by posting their "Cock & Balls" screen grab from these Apps to social media
• Use the hashtag #GoBallsOut, tag and challenge their friends to complete one themselves
• Check www.goballsout.org.nz for an instructional video and more information

Testicular Cancer US Statistics:

• Suffers from a lack of general awareness and discussion around the disease among younger men and their peers due to a shyness to talk about their "private parts"
• This year, an estimated 8,720 men in the United States will be diagnosed with Testicular Cancer.*
• Is often confused with Prostate Cancer as many young men are not aware they're at risk of developing Testicular Cancer in their youth
• Is largely a disease of young men, but about 7% of cases occur in children and teens **
• Is one of the most treatable cancers if detected early, with a survival rate of 95%
• Only about 7% cases occur in men over the age of 55.**

The #GoBallsOut campaign for Testicular Cancer Awareness Month tackles this shyness directly, by ensuring testicles are visually front and centre, through the mapped "Cock & Balls" it is asking people to share. That coupled with asking people to run, walk or cycle a Cock & Balls also encourages them to exercise, which is proven to reduce the risk of a number of cancers.

Diagnosed at 19, ex All Black first five and Testicular Cancer ambassador, Aaron Cruden, knows first-hand the effects Testicular Cancer can have on young men and their loved ones. "It's important for young men and their families to understand this disease. The #GoBallsOut campaign is great because it encourages positive conversation around Testicular Cancer and addresses the importance of early detection".

"Early detection is critical for Testicular Cancer treatment, as it leads to better outcomes for patients," says Graeme Woodside, CEO of Testicular Cancer New Zealand. "We want young men to understand that exercise may reduce the risk of Testicular Cancer and learn how to confidently check themselves and know what to watch out for. Asking people to #GoBallsOut raises awareness of Testicular Cancer in a provocative and visual way. Ultimately however, we want people to 'check their balls' and keep themselves safe."

"We hope this campaign will get people talking and walking, as awareness and exercise are both key," says Woodside. "We want young men to 'Go Balls Out' to show the world they've got the message, and are willing to start the conversation. Guys love some competition, and when it comes to Cock & Balls, they can get very competitive!"

goballsout.org.nz | #goballsout

Download Imagery/Video: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/tyt1ocu7l0zj9zm/AAA9bzng5dKrlKG8krqG30-ja?dl=0

* Cancer.Net. (2016, September). Testicular Cancer: Statistics. Retrieved March 31, 2017 from http://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/testicular-cancer/statistics

**American Cancer Society (2017, January) What Are The Key Statistics About Testicular Cancer? Retrieved March 31, 2017 from
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/testicular-cancer/about/key-statistics.html

SOURCE Testicular Cancer Foundation New Zealand