A father and son who pass by the stand think it is a good thing that attention is being paid to testicular cancer. “I do think it is very important indeed,” says the father. “You saw that with that PSV man too,” he continues, referring to PSV press secretary Thijs Slegers who called for blood and stem cell donors after a diagnosis of acute leukemia. “Attention is given to that and that evokes something in the public.”
Other fans also appreciate the action. “We think the action is very good, because you actually know very little about it yourself,” say two FC Emmen supporters. “Sometimes there is a lot of advertising for it, which is also necessary.” And increasing knowledge about the check is necessary. “It’s nice that you let yourself be told clearly about how it is and how you should do it. It is one eye openerbecause you don’t. You shower every day, but you don’t check your balls every once in a while.”
By means of an Easter egg, Struik explains to passers-by how to check yourself properly. Because, he points out, women know to check their breasts for lumps, but men don’t know to check their testicles.
“Monthly check your balls in your shower, then you’ll be there on time and that will save you chemotherapy or radiotherapy,” says Struik. When you feel good, you feel very easily whether it has become bigger, harder or more sensitive.”
Whether it is really a taboo to check your balls, Struik does not know. “I’ve sometimes wondered if it’s a taboo or pure ignorance. It’s true, you notice that here too, people do start giggling. They say they’ve heard about it, but it’s kind of like shame. That’s why we’re here to just talk about it.”