The Orchid Cancer Appeal

Formed in June 1996 by former testicular cancer patient, Colin Osborne, The Orchid Cancer Appeal was the first registered charity dedicated to fund research into diagnosis, prevention and treatment of testicular, prostate and penile cancer and to increase public awareness of these previously neglected diseases.

Testicular cancer is a life threatening disease that predominantly affects young men between the ages of 15 and 40. Over the last 25 years incidence has doubled and this rise has been linked to decline in sperm count. Though curable today, at least a third of all patients delay seeking treatment because of lack of knowledge or embarrassment, making treatment more complicated and distressing.

In the last 20 years, world-wide cases of prostate cancer have increased dramatically. With the decline in deaths from lung cancer, prostate cancer is becoming the most important cancer issue in men.

Penile cancer, though rare and largely preventable by education, usually presents late at a stage when the only treatment is mutilating surgery.

Thanks mainly to the energy and commitment of the two men who got Orchid on its feet, Colin Osborne and Professor Tim Oliver, the charity achieved its initial goal of securing funding to establish the Men's Cancer Unit's research programme at Barts and The London Hospitals. At the same time, it instigated its campaign of awareness by producing leaflets and a hugely popular video to convey the important messages. The plan now is to complement the research and awareness work by establishing Orchid Cancer Nurses to exploit research opportunities, provide guidance on all cancers and thereby improve patient outcomes by both prevention and the effectiveness of treatment in other parts of the UK.


Registered Charity No. 1080540.

To learn more about our work take a look at our website.