JOHN Hartson’s most recent battles have been with the terrifying consequences of cancer, rather than with the world’s top defenders.

And the former Wales centre forward has now teamed up with Blackwood Comprehensive School pupils to put his experience of testicular cancer on a hard-hitting DVD aimed at teenagers.

The 37-year-old former Arsenal, Celtic and Wales striker was diagnosed with the disease in 2009 after ignoring symptoms for seven years, during which time the cancer spread to his lungs and brain.

He subsequently had a testicle removed and underwent lung and brain surgery and extensive chemotherapy.

The DVD and accompanying teaching pack is the centrepiece of the Grab Your Life by the Balls campaign, put together by Caerphilly council’s healthy schools team, with the John Hartson Foundation and Velindre NHS Trust.

Aimed at 15-year-olds and for use in personal development lessons, the campaign and DVD seeks to raise awareness of testicular cancer symptoms, to encourage young men to check their testicles regularly to make sure all is well, and to consult a doctor if they are worried.

“Statistics cancer tell us there are lots of young men, including one or two of the pupils at this school and others now, who will get the disease,”

said Mr Hartson at the campaign launch at Blackwood.

“The main age group for testicular cancer is 18-36. so it’s vital teenage boys are made aware and encouraged to be upfront about it.

“I’m delighted to be involved in this campaign.

When I was at school there was very little in the way of awareness raising for important issues like this.”

Several Blackwood comprehensive pupils are featured on the DVD. Head teacher Ravi Pawar said he was proud of their contribution to such a powerful message.

● For more information on testicular cancer, visit cancerhelp.cancerresearch uk.org and www.john hartsonfoundation.com

EDITORIAL COMMENT: Star hitting right target

JOHN Hartson has fought his fair share of battles over the years, usually against the world’s top defenders.

But since 2009 his biggest battle has been against the consequences of cancer. And he talks about those experiences with admirable candour in order to try to prevent others fromdoing the same.

He admits that he ignored the symptoms of testicular cancer for many years. Like so many men he, no doubt found it a subject difficult to approach.

Unfortunately, this allowed the disease to spread to his lungs and brain and the footballer has undergone several bouts of surgery and extensive chemotherapy.

It has proved to be a long fight. But to his credit the former Arsenal, Celtic and Wales striker is using his experience to help educate teenage boys of the risks of testicular cancer.

And he has teamed up with Caerphilly council’s health schools team and Velindre NHS Trust to create a teaching pack and DVD to get that message across to teenage boys.

The message may be simply put, “Grab Your Life by the Balls” but it is deadly serious. The youngsters are targeted for a very good reason.

Testicular cancer strikes mostly those aged between 18 and 36. Let’s hope the direct approach to those at risk in a language and manner they understand, encourages them to take note.