Entertainment
Jake Quickenden praised by Loose Men viewers for undergoing ‘brave’ testicular examination on live TV-Emily Bashforth-Entertainment – Metro
‘This will save a life.’
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Loose Men viewers have heaped praise on Jake Quickenden after he underwent a testicular examination on live TV.
The former X Factor star, 34, appeared on the show alongside Vernon Kay, Larry Lamb, Olly Murs, and Ade Adepitan for Loose Women’s fifth all-male panel in the show’s history.
In support of Loose Women’s Stand By Your Men campaign and to highlight the importance of men talking about their health and other issues, the episode aired ahead of International Men’s Day.
Sitting at the table wearing a robe, Jake explained why it really matters to him to be checked for testicular cancer, after both his dad and brother died from it.
But, despite approaching his mid-thirties, he only had his first full-body check-up a few months ago, which he admitted as the stars discussed the ‘shame’ and ’embarrassment’ men often feel when going to the doctors.
Speaking about his health anxiety, Jake said: ‘For me, not checking is a way of putting it to the back of my mind and not worrying about it. Sometimes, I think that if I got checked and felt something, it would eat away at me.’
Jake wants to raise awareness after losing both his dad and brother to cancer (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)
Dr Amir Khan performed a live examination on the singer (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)
‘For me, it was always out of sight, out of mind,’ he added, saying his family history of cancer made his worries ‘worse’ as he thought he was going to be diagnosed with cancer too.
‘But now, as I’ve got older and I’ve got kids, I’ve realised that’s a stupid thing,’ he stated.
‘We need to make sure we’re alright as men and having that conversation.’
Lorraine and Good Morning Britain doctor Amir Khan was then on hand to demonstrate a testicular exam, explaining why men need to get checked.
The TV doctor explained the importance of knowing what is and isn’t ‘normal’ (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)
Jake stood up as the examination was performed, but normally a patient would be lying down.
Dr Amir started by simply looking at Jake’s testicles to see if there was any obvious swelling, discolouration, scarring, or anything that alerts to a problem.
He proceeded to ask Jake if he had felt any lumps or noticed any pain down there.
Jake explained how he’s struggled to answer in the past, but he knows now that the question refers to ‘on the testicle’ and not around it.
The Loose Men panel discussed everything from friendships to mental health (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)
Dr Amir then felt Jake’s testicles one at a time, encouraging him to flag if there was any pain.
The GP placed a finger behind and a thumb at the front of the testicle and rolled around it to feel all sides, as well as the sperm ducts and blood vessels.
Jake assured the exam was not painful and Dr Amir was ‘gentle’, who added that it’s important to know what is ‘normal’ for you.
While there’s no set time to check and there is debate around it, you should check regularly for abnormalities, such as a lump, and make an appointment with your doctor is something is out of the ordinary.
‘More often than not, it’s not cancer. But, if it’s something we’re concerned about, we’ll refer you for further tests’, Dr Amir said.
The process was very quick, and viewers at home then hurried to praise the singer for his bravery.
‘Top respect to #LooseMen, Jake Quickenden and the Doc for showing how easy it is to save a life, and one day it could be your own’, one viewer tweeted.
‘Took some balls for Jake to do that!! Good on him…check yourselves, guys’, wrote another.
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‘Just seen loose men Jake I applaud you’re bravery you WILL save someone’s life today for sure’, praised a third.
And, those comments are exactly why Jake said yes to the exam.
‘That’s the reason I’m doing this, if I can help one person sat at home go, “I’m just gonna nip for a shower and have a little check”. If this helped him, that’s all that matters really.’
Loose Women airs weekdays at 12:30pm on ITV.
How to check yourself for testicular cancer
Movember suggests giving your testicles a bit of a feel each month while in the bath or shower, it takes just minutes to do.
Roll one testicle between thumb and fingers to get to know what’s normal and repeat with the other one.
If you notice a change in size or shape, a lump that wasn’t there before, or if they become painful to touch, see a doctor.
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