North Melbourne midfielder Ben Cunnington and Carlton co-captain Sam Docherty have individually revealed where they stand in their similar battles with testicular related ailments.
The news was bright for Cunnington, with the hardnosed 30-year-old updating the football world of his recent fortunes after a surgical procedure had successfully removed a tumour from his reproductive organs.
The former skipper took to social media platform Instagram on Saturday to publicly announce the progress that had been made in his private course of action.
Speaking after the Kangaroo's Round 22 clash with Sydney on Saturday night, North coach David Noble expressed relief that the veteran was on the mend.
โWe were greatly relieved for Ben and Belinda and the kids and extended family that they got some really good news," the first-year coach said.
According to a Sunday morning report fromย The Herald Sun, Cunnington is expected to make a full recovery and should be ready to hit the track when the Roos start their pre-season campaign over summer.
Noble confirmed as much after his side's loss to the Swans.
โWe might need to go a bit slower when he returns but I think all things are pointing towards him starting pre-season in full capacity," he continued.
โHe will still need to be vigilant going forward, no doubt.
โHe should be in a position that when we get back to pre-season โ we think he'll be in a position that he has recovered from the surgery."
Despite the welcome news for the integral member of his court of Kangaroos, Noble finished his line of conversation by stating that Docherty was at the forefront of his mind too.
Although the news was positive at Arden Street, the same was sadly not the case at Princes Park, with Docherty opening up about his latest challenge with testicular cancer.
Like Cunnington, Docherty took to Instagram earlier in the week in an effort to express how vital it is that men remain vigilant when it comes to their health.
The former Lion explained toย The Herald Sun's Glenn McFarlane that he had first found the lump below the belt during his sting in the club's Queensland hub last season.
โIt was just a sort of watch-and-see at that stage, if it didn't get any better by the time we got home, we were going to get it scanned,โ Docherty said.
โThat is what inevitably happened. I got the call from the club doctor saying we think you have got (testicular cancer) โฆ I can't remember if it was, โWe think you have got it' or, โYou have got it'. The natural reaction of someone my age is you just don't think it can occur, but I now know differently. With cancer, you think elderly โฆ you think life-threatening โฆ you think death.โ
Despite surgery initially seeming to amend the issue, the Blues' battle is set to continue after the aforesaid revelations confirming that his career would once again be placed on pause as he faces more chemotherapy in the future.
Although devastating, Docherty is looking to follow Cunnington's lead by setting himself the goal of partaking in his club's pre-season duties.
We here atย Zero Hanger wholeheartedly wish both of these champions the best of luck as they continue to both mend and fight. We also join the pair's chorus in asking that if something doesn't feel right with your health, please consult a medical professional.
