Kent County Cricket Club chat about Men’s Health

We sat down with Kent Country Cricket Club players Sam Billings, Joe Denly and Ollie Robertson to discuss how important it is to talk about men’s health.

Here, they chat to us about two of the most common cancers among men, prostate and testicular cancer, and some of the ways you can help catch possible signs before they get too serious.

Why is raising awareness of male cancer, such as prostate and testicular cancer, important to you?

Sam Billings: “I think it’s a huge subject, in terms of every year you see the Movember campaigns and a lot of the lads get involved. I unfortunately can’t grow too much of a moustache to raise awareness for that, but it’s a great cause and it’s something that will affect all of us in some way shape or form.”

“A guy, Worcester cricketer Tom Fell, had testicular cancer and missed a bit of cricket so it is really close to home and it’s very important for all of us to get checked out regularly.”

Do you know how to check the health of your prostate?

Joe Denly: “Once you’re over 50 and worried about prostate cancer, then go to a GP and ask for a PSA test. Likewise if you’re under the age of 50 but there’s a bit of family history with prostate cancer then do similar. Like I say, it’s best to talk and best to be sure, so go and check in your GP.”

Sam Billings: “In the UK a man dies every 45 minutes from prostate cancer so to raise awareness that there’s no better fact than that. It’s scary to think that it’s the most common cancer in young males in the country.”

Do you know your balls?

Ollie Robinson: “So my advice would be to check yourself as regularly as you can. Know your own balls and it can be as simple as doing it in the shower or in beds, anything like that just to make sure you’re alright and anything that’s not normal then go and get it checked.”

What advice would you give other men?

Sam Billings: “It’s like anything, you’ve got to take action early and be proactive with it. If something doesn’t feel right then it’s better to be safe than sorry and get checked up regularly.”

Joe Denly: “If you’re not too sure about symptoms and stuff like that just ask and consult your GP, ask friends – it’s always good to talk about health risks and this is certainly one of them. So just to be very sure in your mind and don’t be afraid to talk about it.”

Sam Billings: “The work that KIMS Hospital does to raise awareness and give us access to getting checked up. So as a group we’re very lucky with that and I’d encourage anyone to go along to KIMS Hospital and use the facilities. It’s fantastic and for us it’s just a matter of being proactive with it like anything that you do.”

“It’s better to be safe than sorry and and really kind of take the emphasis on and go and get checked up yourself so that’s the biggest bit of advice.”