The awareness fortnight, which is run by The Professional Footballers’ Association, The Football Association and The Everyman Campaign, comes as they announce survey findings which show that only 28% of men check regularly for signs of testicular cancer – a worrying fact given that if caught early enough testicular cancer is 99% curable.

The survey, conducted by The Everyman Male Cancer Campaign, also found that a shocking 95% of men and women agreed that men are less informed about male cancer than women are about female cancers.

Over 60% of men also said that health matters were the least likely topics of conversation they would have with their friends.

However, over half of the men surveyed said they would feel comfortable visiting their GP if they found a lump and only 16% admitted to being fearful and reluctant to go, which could be a sign that men’s attitudes towards health issues are changing.

A similar survey conducted by Everyman last year also revealed that only 19% of men checked regularly. So whilst the number of men checking themselves regularly remains low, there are signs that awareness in men is increasing.

England and Manchester City goal-keeper and campaign ambassador, David James, commented, "I support Keep Your Eye On The Ball because it is important to make the fans and players aware of male cancer.

"Testicular cancer is the most common cancer to affect men between 20-35 years old, the average career span of a footballer.

"The good news is that if caught early enough, it is curable in 99% of cases. That’s why it is important for Keep Your Eye On The Ball to continue to raise awareness, which will help save lives."

Keep Your Eye on The Ball was set-up over four years ago in response to low awareness levels and after several high profile players including Jason Cundy, Alan Stubbs and Neil Harris were diagnosed with testicular cancer.

Each year an awareness fortnight is held where Clubs and Associations are encouraged to help raise awareness to fans by displaying posters, information leaflets and adverts in match-day programmes. Over 60 league Clubs and Associations are participating in the campaign this year.

In the time it takes to play one 90 minute game of football, more than one man in the UK will have died of prostate cancer and it has now overtaken lung cancer to become the UK’s most common cancer diagnosed in men.

Cases of testicular cancer have risen dramatically in the last 20 years, but the causes of this increase are not known.

Thanks to advances made at The Everyman Centre - Europe’s first and only centre dedicated to male cancer and part of The Institute of Cancer Research - testicular cancer is 99% curable if caught early enough.

That’s why it is important to make men aware of the signs and symptoms to look out for as early diagnosis can save lives.