THE son of a man who died as a result of prostate cancer has called on men everywhere to stop regarding the illness as a “taboo subject”.
Julian Jeoffrey, 40, spoke out in the run-up to a Roberttown Working Men’s Club fundraiser in memory of his father, Leroy.
The event on Saturday, October 31, has been organised by Julian’s cousin Sharon.
It features a strongman event, arm wrestling, pool and tug-of-war contests, plus advice from Prostate Cancer UK representatives.
Boxer Julian, of Manchester, hopes the night will challenge the fears around the issue.
He said: “Men generally seem to see prostate cancer as a taboo subject they don’t want to talk about.
“That’s especially so in my age group, perhaps because it can be quite an invasive check-up.
“My message is that it’s better to have that procedure, rather than risk losing your life.”
Leroy, of Leeds, was originally from the Caribbean island of Aruba. He died in July, 2013, aged 72.
He was a British Army corporal in the Enniskillen Fusiliers and served in Cyprus and Berlin in the 1960s.
Also a boxer, Leroy earned the nickname ‘The Elusive One’, as he was difficult to hit.
Julian raised £1,700 for Cancer Research with a charity boxing bout in Manchester recently.
Cousin Sharon, of Wheatlands Drive, Roberttown, hopes for similar success with her event for Prostate Cancer UK.
She said: “Men are often not very good at talking about things like this when they really need to know if they have a problem.
“I don’t want what happened to my uncle to happen to others. To see him deteriorate was awful.”
Tickets in the form of 100 armbands are from the club. Once those are sold, entry will be by donation at the door.
