[cite]Posted By: Covered End[/cite]It seems to me a high number of footballers get testicular cancer. Could this be because they are getting hit by the ball in the knackers ?
This is a serious question.
I think the instance of testicular cancer in general is probably higher than you realise CE. Its by far the most common form of cancer in men under forty - I think the incidence amongst footballers - as a representative sample of healthy young men - is actually lower than I would expect. Thankfully, its eminently treatable in most cases when caught early enough - and has a simpler self-diagnosis procedure than the obvious counterpart in women (breast cancer)
Just looking on The BBC football website and there is a link re Hartson to testicular cancer.
The diagnosis rate is 7 in 100,000, which equals 1 in 14,000 approx.
I think my observation that footballers seem disproportionately high appears to be correct.
"Testicular cancer receives more publicity today than ever before, yet is still an uncommon cancer, with approximately 2,000 new cases diagnosed each year."
0.3% of men will be diagnosed with testicular cancer during their lifetimes. The early onset of testicular cancer makes it a likelier candidate to present in younger males (as opposed to, say, bowel or prostate). If you take the average career of a footballer, barring injuries (25 years) then - discounting the young male (0-15) and skewing the sample slightly for the older male (65+)* lets say that 0.05% of all men will be diagnosed with testicular cancer between the ages of 16 and 40. How many professional footballers are there in the country at a given time? 2500 or so? I think that, given the fact I can only remember hearing about Hartson, Alan Stubbs, Neil Harris, Geoff Horsfield and maybe a couple more over the past ten years or so, the prevalence doesn't appear to be that much greater than average to me.
*Pre 16 year olds have a low incidence of testicular cancer, post 65 year olds have a generally higher rate of all types of cancer
[cite]Posted By: Leroy Ambrose[/cite]Lies, damned lies and statistics.
0.3% of men will be diagnosed with testicular cancer during their lifetimes. The early onset of testicular cancer makes it a likelier candidate to present in younger males (as opposed to, say, bowel or prostate). If you take the average career of a footballer, barring injuries (25 years) then - discounting the young male (0-15) and skewing the sample slightly for the older male (65+)* lets say that 0.05% of all men will be diagnosed with testicular cancer between the ages of 16 and 40. How many professional footballers are there in the country at a given time? 2500 or so? I think that, given the fact I can only remember hearing about Hartson, Alan Stubbs, Neil Harris, Geoff Horsfield and maybe a couple more over the past ten years or so, the prevalence doesn't appear to be that much greater than average to me.
*Pre 16 year olds have a low incidence of testicular cancer, post 65 year olds have a generally higher rate of all types of cancer
that's all very well but can you back your opinions up with facts and figures ; - )
[cite]Posted By: Leroy Ambrose[/cite]Lies, damned lies and statistics.
0.3% of men will be diagnosed with testicular cancer during their lifetimes. The early onset of testicular cancer makes it a likelier candidate to present in younger males (as opposed to, say, bowel or prostate). If you take the average career of a footballer, barring injuries (25 years) then - discounting the young male (0-15) and skewing the sample slightly for the older male (65+)* lets say that 0.05% of all men will be diagnosed with testicular cancer between the ages of 16 and 40. How many professional footballers are there in the country at a given time? 2500 or so? I think that, given the fact I can only remember hearing about Hartson, Alan Stubbs, Neil Harris, Geoff Horsfield and maybe a couple more over the past ten years or so, the prevalence doesn't appear to be that much greater than average to me.
*Pre 16 year olds have a low incidence of testicular cancer, post 65 year olds have a generally higher rate of all types of cancer
that's all very well but can you back your opinions up with facts and figures ; - )
LOL - nope. Incidentally, if anyone has read 'Bad Science' they'll be fully aware of just how easy it is to skew statistics to support pretty much any viewpoint in a seemingly convincing manner. I thoroughly recommend it - it should be de rigeur reading for everyone with even a passing interest in how the media ruins science coverage.
Hope he pulls through. Im sure the football community i.e PFA are doing everything they can to help his family. A friend of the family, Ernie Cooksey (Boston Utd, Oldham, etc) died last year of cancer and it was overwhelming the amount of support him and his family got from fans and players. Shows the true meaning of the game if you ask me. Im sure people will do the same for John....
Horrible at such a young age. Remember him scoring their equaliser in the 2-2 a few years back. one of those players you love to hate, but I am sure there is not a fan in the country that does not wish him well.
[cite]Posted By: Curb_It[/cite]i didnt even really think much of Hartson but this has really upset me - as Im sure it has others. I just read the planet swans site - big gulp.
You never know whats round the corner folks. Keep on keeping on.
I bumped into Hartson along with Craig Burley at my local Irish boozer in Chiswick on St.Patrick's Day, where they were enjoying several hair of the dogs and holding court at the bar.
They were commentating for Setanta that evening and had a lock in until 4am the previous night. The landlord said you couldn't meet a nicer bloke.
Shocking to think that a few months down the line that he's been struck down by this awful disease. Doesn't look good, but he's always been a fighter.
[cite]Posted By: Curb_It[/cite]actually you would find more on the talkceltic website which i've just found but wont post the link to for obvious reasons!
More than plenty of support and good luck messages on followfollow Rangers site as well.
Rivarly, whether it be religious, political or football means absolutely nothing in these circumstances, and I wish him nothing but the best.
[cite]Posted By: Curb_It[/cite]actually you would find more on the talkceltic website which i've just found but wont post the link to for obvious reasons!
Rivarly, whether it be religious, political or football means absolutely nothing in these circumstances, and I wish him nothing but the best.
Well said, anyone who disagrees is an idiot of the highest order.
[quote][cite]Posted By: ShootersHillGuru[/cite]The sad thing about this is that unfortunately John has only a short time to live. His disease has spread and there is no cure.[/quote]
Actually, and rather amazingly the 5 year survival rate for testicular cancer (even if the disease has spread beyond the lymph nodes to other organs) is still over 70%. Lance Armstrong being the most high profile example, where his cancer had reached his lungs, brain and bones. Unlike other cancers it is highly responsive to treatment, in fact if it is caught early (hasn't spread) the five year survival rate goes up to 95%. So hopefully Hartson can look forward to some future if he can recover from the initial surgery.
Comments
Just looking on The BBC football website and there is a link re Hartson to testicular cancer.
The diagnosis rate is 7 in 100,000, which equals 1 in 14,000 approx.
I think my observation that footballers seem disproportionately high appears to be correct.
"Testicular cancer receives more publicity today than ever before, yet is still an uncommon cancer, with approximately 2,000 new cases diagnosed each year."
0.3% of men will be diagnosed with testicular cancer during their lifetimes. The early onset of testicular cancer makes it a likelier candidate to present in younger males (as opposed to, say, bowel or prostate). If you take the average career of a footballer, barring injuries (25 years) then - discounting the young male (0-15) and skewing the sample slightly for the older male (65+)* lets say that 0.05% of all men will be diagnosed with testicular cancer between the ages of 16 and 40. How many professional footballers are there in the country at a given time? 2500 or so? I think that, given the fact I can only remember hearing about Hartson, Alan Stubbs, Neil Harris, Geoff Horsfield and maybe a couple more over the past ten years or so, the prevalence doesn't appear to be that much greater than average to me.
*Pre 16 year olds have a low incidence of testicular cancer, post 65 year olds have a generally higher rate of all types of cancer
that's all very well but can you back your opinions up with facts and figures ; - )
0.05% of all men between 16 and 40 will be diagnosed with testicular cancer according to your rough calculations.
Therefore, if you assume 2500 footballers,
2500 x 0.05% = 1.25 footballers should get it.
You've already named 4 yourself, which is triple the average.
Unless of course my maths is no good.
Either way it's only an observation and I'm not arguing about it :-)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/8151728.stm
Not good.
Praying for him.............
All the best John, keep fighting.
Hope he pulls through. Im sure the football community i.e PFA are doing everything they can to help his family.
A friend of the family, Ernie Cooksey (Boston Utd, Oldham, etc) died last year of cancer and it was overwhelming the amount of support him and his family got from fans and players. Shows the true meaning of the game if you ask me. Im sure people will do the same for John....
You never know whats round the corner folks. Keep on keeping on.
You got the link for that Curb_it?
They were commentating for Setanta that evening and had a lock in until 4am the previous night. The landlord said you couldn't meet a nicer bloke.
Shocking to think that a few months down the line that he's been struck down by this awful disease. Doesn't look good, but he's always been a fighter.
red murph my pal livesin chiswick and has been hassling me to come to his local irish pub which has v late lock ins. can you whisper me the name?
Rivarly, whether it be religious, political or football means absolutely nothing in these circumstances, and I wish him nothing but the best.
I hope he pulls through.
planet swans
God luck to him tho, this has touched me a little this story, as all Cancer in the young does. Hope he is ok, tho thoughts are firmly with the family.
What a strange comment!!
Anyway, to add to the emotion of it all, it has been revealed today that his girlfriend is pregnant.
Hartson to be dad
What a strange comment!!
Anyway, to add to the emotion of it all, it has been revealed today that his girlfriend is pregnant.
Progressing well, but still a long way to go.
Actually, and rather amazingly the 5 year survival rate for testicular cancer (even if the disease has spread beyond the lymph nodes to other organs) is still over 70%. Lance Armstrong being the most high profile example, where his cancer had reached his lungs, brain and bones.
Unlike other cancers it is highly responsive to treatment, in fact if it is caught early (hasn't spread) the five year survival rate goes up to 95%.
So hopefully Hartson can look forward to some future if he can recover from the initial surgery.