Over the past couple of days, Facebook users may have noticed their friends have been posting and sharing the 8-ball emoji.
The status, which is simply the emoji, has had many people confused and asking why it’s being shared? Even when commenting on the emoji status, Facebook users seem to be keeping the whole thing under wraps.
Some people have been asking if the picture has anything to do with pool… and the answer is quite simply, no.
The 8-ball emoji is actually being shared to raise awareness for prostate cancer. The eight reportedly stands for the second half of the type of cancer the message refers to.
Users sharing the emoji are also sharing a “secret” message with each other via the Facebook Messenger app which asks the user to post the emoji and then forward to all their male friends.
“Hey bud, would you join in trying to raise awareness for prostate cancer? (only men). Can you please put a
on your wall don’t comment then send this on to all your male friends.”
“Hold your finger on this message and hit forward. Thanks”
The idea does not appear to be part of an official campaign to raise awareness about prostate cancer and we’re not sure why a user would be told to not comment on it when actually trying to raise awareness?
Either way, prostate cancer is a serious issue globally and we should all be aware of the statistics as well as symptoms and treatments.
South African men have a one in eight (1:8) risk of getting cancer in their lifetime. The top cancers affecting men (in SA) are prostate cancer, Kaposi sarcoma (type of skin cancer), lung and colorectalcancer.
Prostate Cancer is the leading cancer in males and more than 4000 men are diagnosed yearly with prostate cancer in South Africa. One of the contributing factors to these alarming figures is that many men are unaware of the risks they face with regards to this disease and that many are currently diagnosed with advanced stages of the disease.
These realities and statistics are directly related to awareness and education programs available to the public at large.
CANSA South Africa urges men and male cancer Survivors to encourage one another to invest in their health by being aware of changes in their bodies, getting screened and adopting a balanced lifestyle, in order to reduce their cancer risk or the recurrence of cancer.
The lifetime risk for Prostate Cancer in men in South Africa, is 1 in 27, according to the 2010 National Cancer Registry.
Men need to go for simple screening tests to detect Prostate Cancer. Screening results in early detection, enabling more effective treatment and a better chance of recovery.
Learn more about Prostate Cancer, symptoms, screening and reducing risk by clicking here.
CANSA also provide a counselling service dedicated to providing advice to cancer Survivors. Speak to a counsellor at your local CANSA Care Centre or you can phone their Toll Free Call Centre on 0800 22 6622, or email info@cansa.org.za.
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