Jake Quickenden has his testicles examined on live TV to raise awareness for cancer
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Jake Quickenden had his testicles examined live on Loose Men on Friday to raise awareness for cancer.
The singer, 34, spoke of losing his father and brother to the disease while appearing on the special edition of the show and wants everyone to “check more”.
He donned a white robe while chatting with panelists Vernon Kay, Olly Murs, Larry Lamb and Ade Adepitan before being broadcast live by Dr. Amir.
Brave: Jake Quickenden had his testicles examined live on Loose Men on Friday to raise awareness for cancer
Jake’s father Paul died in 2008. His brother Oliver was diagnosed with osteosarcoma – the most common form of bone cancer – in 2010 when he was just 16 and died two years later.
One child’s father said, “I lost my father and brother to cancer, so for me not checking is a way of just keeping it in the back of my mind.”
“Sometimes I think if I checked and I felt something I’d be so worried, so for me it was out of sight, out of mind.
Opening: The singer, 34, talked about losing his father and brother to the disease while appearing on the special edition of the show (pictured with panelists Vernon Kay, Olly Murs, Larry Lamb and Ade Adepitan)
Heartbreaking: Jake’s father Paul died in 2008. His brother Oliver was diagnosed with osteosarcoma – the most common form of bone cancer – in 2010 when he was just 16 and died two years later
He added: “But as I’ve gotten older I have kids now, it makes me think it’s a stupid thing to do, we need to talk more, we need to check more.”
“I had my first checkup six months ago, I’m 34, and that was a big step for me to even do, an MRI, everything checked and blood checked, and I was pretty proud,” Jake continued.
“The reason I’m doing this today, even if it helps one person — if this helps someone, that’s all that really matters.”
After openly discussing his heartbreaking story, he lifted his robe and was examined by the doctor to show viewers how quick and easy it is to do at home.
Dr. Amir added, “Jake is incredibly brave to do this on television.”
Jake said, “The reason I’m doing this today, even if it helps one person — if this helps someone, that’s all that really matters.”
ITV viewers praised Jake on social media for raising awareness and for being ‘brave’ enough to do it live on TV.
One person tweeted, “Just saw loose men Jake I applaud your bravery, you WILL definitely save someone’s life today”
Another added: ‘I like loose men and well done for yaking a very important message about cancer’
A third wrote: “I applaud you for your bravery today on loose men. I really hope it helps other guys get checked out. Well done Jake xx’
Courageous: ITV viewers praised Jake on social media for raising awareness and for being ‘brave’ enough to do it live on TV
The star previously revealed during an interview on Loose Women that the loss of his father and little brother caused him to go through a period of depression.
“They were just very, very unlucky,” Jake said of his relatives. “I struggled a lot, especially when [Oliver] was my little brother – he was 19 – and because I would have to take care of him.
“I entered a downward spiral. I don’t talk about it because I want pity, but I decided to talk about it to let people know that you can come out and be okay.”
Jake struggled with an unhealthy cycle of nights out, sobering feelings, and even more heavy drinking in an effort to “get away and hide” rather than burden people with his grief.
Jake continued, “I didn’t do anything, I was on my mom’s couch, not working or making money, and I just went out and got so drunk I couldn’t remember the night before.
“I lay in bed all day and was depressed. I didn’t want to be a burden to my mother because she had just lost a son. I couldn’t talk to my friends because everyone loses someone.
He added, “I didn’t want to burden people with it. I didn’t want people to say “here he goes again”. I handled it badly, with a lot of drinking, I literally went out most nights and I drank myself stupid.”
He called his mother his “rock” and described the support of his older brother and friends to get through the other side.
Candid: The star previously revealed during an interview on Loose Women that the loss of his father and little brother caused him to go through a period of depression