I’ve set myself a personal challenge for 2022. I have signed up to run the 2022 Berlin Marathon. I want to challenge my mind and body to do something to help all of the individuals living with, or at risk of, penile cancer who turn to my colleagues at Orchid Cancer for support.

Penile cancer is very rare, there are around 700 cases in the UK each year and 36,000 globally. It is most often diagnosed in men over the age of 60 years, however much younger can also be affected. It is usually a slow growing cancer and, if caught early before further spread, the chances of survival are high. Around 70% of men diagnosed with penile cancer will survive the disease. Unfortunately, most men tend to ignore potential penile cancer symptoms for some time which leads to a subsequent delay in diagnosis. 

In Canada, the Canadian Cancer Society states that, in 2016, there were 160 Canadian men diagnosed with penile cancer. In 2017, 60 Canadian men died from penile cancer.

I hear it too many times that men ‘ignore’ facts about their health or avoid a trip to their GP. I want to raise funds to support the work my colleagues at Orchid Cancer do to raise awareness about this specific cancer. By raising awareness, we can save lives. 

The more we talk about things, the more knowledge and awareness we will all have. 

The Berlin Marathon is on Sunday 25 September just 5 days after International Penile Cancer Day, which I am proud to say my colleagues at Orchid helped to establish. This is my first ever marathon. After running the 2019 Royal Parks in London and HIIT workouts, I injured myself and am now getting back on track with lots of discipline and dedication. You will be able to follow my progress right here. 

I need your help and generosity to raise money for Orchid’s penile cancer work.

Your support through this journey and my training will be immensely valuable. Supporting Orchid’s penile cancer work means more people at risk of penile cancer will get an early diagnosis and improved chances of survival.

Thank you so much for your support - see you in Berlin!

Julia