BOTH are footballing legends – on and off the pitch.
But David Seaman and John Motson have more than just the beautiful game in common.
Their lives have both been touched by cancer.
Retired Arsenal and England goalie, David has had to watch his dad Roger face bowel cancer. While John, the most recognisable voice in football, has battled the disease himself.
Today, ahead of Father’s Day, the pair are speaking out to raise awareness of the second deadliest form of cancer – to spare others their nightmare.
It comes after The Sun launched the No Time 2 Lose campaign, to raise awareness of the disease and to call on the Government to lower the screening age from 60 to 50.
The disease claims around 16,000 lives a year, but it can be cured if it’s caught early.
Diagnosed in the earliest stage – stage 1 – and patients have a 97 per cent chance of surviving five years or more.
But catch it at stage 4 – when it’s already spread – and that chance plummets to just seven per cent.
Early diagnosis can only be achieved with screening and greater awareness.
Lowering the screening age to 50 – as is already the case in Scotland – could save more than 4,500 lives a year, and the NHS millions, in expensive treatments that can cost up to £25,000 a patient.
Both Roger Seaman, David’s dad, and John’s cancers were picked up thanks to the current screening programme in England, which starts at 60.
John said: “It’s very important people know that bowel cancer is treatable.
“But the earlier you get diagnosed the more successful the treatment is likely to be.”
While Roger added: “You can beat it early, through the screening programme.
“Please don’t hesitate, if the kit comes through your post, use it.”
Everyone in England, Wales and Northern Ireland receives an invitation to take part in the screening programme around their 60th birthday.
In Scotland the invitation arrives on your 50th birthday – a postcode lottery that campaigners Lauren Backler and Lizzie Dowd both believe cost their mums’ their lives.
Lauren’s mum Fiona died of bowel cancer at 55, while Lizzie’s mum Christine was 53 when the disease claimed her life.
It’s very important people know that bowel cancer is treatable. But the earlier you get diagnosed the more successful the treatment is likely to be
John Motson
In a new video opening up about his dad’s cancer battle, David, who won 75 caps playing in goal for the Three Lions, recalled being shell shocked at Roger’s diagnosis.
“As all kids do, you think your mum and dad are bulletproof,” he said.
And John’s son Fred urged all kids to hassle their parents to make sure they take up the invite to get screened.
“To think someone who has been here all my life suddenly might not be there was a really frightening experience,” Fred said.
“It’s really worth asking your dad if he’s had the letter (to get tested).
“It’s a straight forward enough procedure that can have a huge impact on people’s lives.”
And his dad, who worked for the BBC from 1968 until he retired in 2008, added: “It’s very important for people to know that bowel cancer is treatable, but the earlier you get diagnosed the more successful the treatment is likely to be.
“I consider myself very lucky that I was diagnosed so early and the cancer was dealt with.”
SCREENING FROM 50 IS A NO BRAINER - IT COULD SAVE THOUSANDS OF LIVES
THE Sun’s No Time 2 Lose campaign is calling for bowel cancer screening in England to start at 50 NOT 60.
The move could save more than 4,500 lives a year, experts say.
Bowel cancer is the second deadliest form of the disease, but it can be cured if it’s caught early – or better still prevented.
Caught at stage 1 – the earliest stage – patients have a 97 per cent chance of living for five years or longer.
But catch it at stage 4 – when it’s already spread – and that chance plummets to just seven per cent.
In April, Lauren Backler, whose mum died of the disease at the age of 55, joined forces with The Sun to launch the No Time 2 Lose campaign, also supported by Bowel Cancer UK and Beating Bowel Cancer. Donate here.
Lauren delivered a petition to the Department of Health complete with almost 450,000 signatures, to put pressure on the Government to make this vital change – one that could save thousands of lives every year, and the NHS millions.
We all deserve an equal chance to beat this disease, regardless of where we live.
We know bowel cancer is more likely after the age of 50 – so it makes sense to screen from then.
Plus, it’s got to save the NHS money in the long-run, catching the disease before patients need serious and expensive treatments.
It’s a no brainer, thousands of lives are at stake every year.
You can still sign Lauren’s petition to show your support – click HERE to add your signature.
The Sun joined forces with Bowel Cancer UK and Beating Bowel Cancer, as well as campaigner Lauren Backler, who lost her mum to the disease at 55, and scores of patients, to call for change, and NOW.
The No Time 2 Lose campaign also urges everyone to learn the red flag signs of the disease, no matter how embarrassing they might be.
While early diagnosis is vital, prevention is even better.
And experts say there are 6 steps everyone can take to help prevent the disease.
Eating a healthy balanced diet, not drinking too much, not smoking and regular exercise can all help ward off bowel cancer.
Just 30 minutes of exercise, five days a week can slash your risk by 12 per cent, Bowel Cancer UK told The Sun.
The charity’s Step Up for 30 campaign launched last week, aiming to get people exercising for 30 minutes a day throughout June – to prevent more cases of the killer disease.
John and Roger are both supporting the Bobby Moore Fund, set up in partnership with Cancer Research UK to raise money for research into the disease.
“Having gone through bowel cancer myself, The Bobby Moore Fund is extremely close to my heart,” John said.
“The work they do is so important in raising vital funds for life-saving research and I’m honoured to be a part of it.”
MORE ON NO TIME 2 LOSE
The fund was set up in 1993 by Stephanie Moore, widow of of the former England football captain Bobby Moore after he died from the disease.
“I was so sad when both Roger and John told me they had been diagnosed with bowel cancer, but their stories are just one example of how we are making progress,” she said.
“In the 25 years that have passed since Bobby died, mortality rates for bowel cancer have fallen by more than 30 per cent.
“However, there’s still more work to be done and it’s candid conversations like these that help raise awareness and encourage people to donate to Cancer Research UK’s pioneering research, ultimately bringing forward the day when bowel cancer is cured.”
The Bobby Moore foundation is aiming to raise £25m this year to mark the anniversary of his death.
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