by Metropol | August 19, 2026 8:33 am
The Lump Lottery has driven thousands of Kiwi men to check their balls, with 13,478 balls checked during Testicular Cancer Awareness Month.
The most commonly diagnosed cancer in teenage boys and young men in Aotearoa New Zealand, testicular cancer most often affects those aged 15 to 44, but can occur at any age. Around 182 men are diagnosed with testicular cancer each year, and about six will die from the disease.
Supported by Testicular Cancer NZ and JAC, the Lump Lottery campaign turned a simple health message into clear action. In total, 6739 people completed a check, 898 people found a lump, and 274 sought medical help.
The campaign used a simple idea: offer men an incentive to do the health check many avoid. Christchurch-based Isaac Weir, aged 20, checked his balls after watching the campaign’s online how-to video, and is now the winner of a brand-new JAC ute.
During April, the campaign set out to make monthly testicular self-checks as normal for men as breast self-examinations are for women. The message was direct, practical and deliberately hard to ignore.
Go to the Lump Lottery website, watch a short ‘how-to’ video from a Testicular Cancer NZ expert, check yourself, answer yes or no to finding a lump, and go in the draw to win a brand-new JAC ute.
Testicular Cancer NZ chief executive Peter Dickens says the results showed humour can be a powerful tool when it is used with a clear purpose.
“Lump Lottery was a humorous but straight-talking initiative designed to get men to act. It was simple, tactical and it worked. We know men are often slow to check their own health, and even slower to follow up when something feels wrong. This campaign gave them a reason to start, and the results show they did,” says Peter.
Testicular Cancer NZ educates people about the disease and raises awareness about the importance of early detection. The organisation also supports people going through diagnosis and treatment in Aotearoa. Services the charity provides for those affected include a nurse-led information service, free professional counselling, and patient grants.
For more information go to www.testicular.org.nz.
Source URL: https://metropol.co.nz/eye-on-the-ball/
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