Care/Support Groups
Orchid Cancer Appeal
Formed in June 1996 by former testicular cancer patient, Colin Osborne. The Orchid Cancer Appeal was the first registered charity dedicated to fund 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 20 years, world-wide cases of prostate cancer have increased dramatically. With the decline in deaths from lung cancer, prostate cancer is becoming the most important cancer issue in men.
Testicular cancer is a life threatening disease that predominantly affects young men between the ages of 15 and 40. Over the last 25 years incidence has doubled and this rise has been linked to decline in sperm count. Though curable today, more than half the patients delay seeking treatment because of lack of knowledge or embarrassment, making treatment more complicated and distressing.
Why Name Orchid
Orchis, the Greek word for tuber, was also used to describe the male gonad or testis because the appearances of the orchid tuber in the species common in Greece resembled the male gonad. Removing the testis, orchidectomy, is primary treatment for two main types of men's cancer - testicular and prostatic cancer.
Address:
The Orchid Cancer Appeal
St. Bartholomew's Hospital
London EClA 7BE
Registered Charity No. 1080540
Tel:
Fax:
E-mail:
Website: http://www.orchid-cancer.org.uk/
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