Swansea minister is happy to spread health message after blog row

A CITY minister said he did not regret in the slightest posting a picture of a man checking his privates on his latest blog.

The Rev John Wiseman's blog for December 1 reflected on the Movember campaign, which raises awareness and funds for men's health matters, specifically testicular and prostate cancer.

In it he said he had enjoyed checking his "health areas in question" last month.

The Post has received an anonymous email bringing the blog and photo to the paper's attention. The person said the congregation reads the blog, but wrongly suggested that the man pictured in his white boxer shorts was Mr Wiseman.

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"The picture is definitely not me," said Mr Wiseman. "There would have been a much larger tummy!

"It is one I cut and pasted off the internet."

In his blog, Mr Wiseman said he did not take part in the moustache-growing charity antics associated with Movember.

He wrote: "This avid blogger did feel a little left out during the past month as he already possessed a Mo but made up for it with a concerted effort to check the health areas in question as often as he could during the 30 day time frame. It was a challenge he quite enjoyed!"

Mr Wiseman, who has been the minister at Sketty Methodist Church for four and a half years, said it was important for men not to shy away from testing for lumps.

"I guess I put the picture on because I think the issues of testicular and prostate cancer are things that men in general don't speak about," he said.

"They wait until it is too late, by which time the available options are grossly reduced."

The 48-year-old said women were more open in this regard, highlighted by the annual Race for Life — said to be the UK's biggest women-only fundraising event.

"I suspect a lot of people don't know Movember exists," said Mr Wiseman.

The Movember campaign has spread worldwide, with participants — including supportive women — raising nearly £80 million last year.

Three years ago, Swansea-born footballer John Hartson admitted he had ignored signs of testicular cancer two years previously, and said it was only when he suffered blinding headaches that he sought medical help.

Mr Wiseman, meanwhile, has posted two blogs since his Movember musings, with yesterday's concerning fitness.

He wrote: "The experts say that jogging is a great way to get fit, but from personal experience of pounding the pavement I still haven't found a way to stop jam from my doughnuts dripping down my designer tracksuit that I normally wear around the house."