Yes, says Uli Roth, it was quite a hurdle, “but we have overcome them all”. Undressing while dancing in front of the TV cameras – not exactly everyday, but in this case very useful for the good cause.
“Showtime of my Life” is the name of the format with which the TV broadcaster Vox wants to draw attention to the importance of preventive examinations in the fight against cancer on Monday and Tuesday (8:15 pm).
Former handball national player Uli Roth, second in the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles with the German team, is one of those celebrities who undress for this important cause. In 2009 he and his twin brother Michael contracted prostate cancer, which was recognized during a preventive medical check-up. “It saved our lives,” says the 58-year-old.
Roth, Angerer, Russ and Boy drop envelopes
Despite the importance of early cancer detection, many people are still hesitant when it comes to undressing and having a doctor examined.
Many are also afraid of what might come of this, but Roth cannot understand that at all: “I have no understanding for someone who says: I don’t even want to know what I have.” He always wanted to know that early on, because “then you can be helped”.
In addition to Roth from the field of competitive sports, Vox also includes former world goalkeeper Nadine Angerer, former European gymnastics champion Philipp Boy and Bundesliga footballer Marco Russ. They all have a very special story that connects them with the disease.
Russ emphasizes the importance of preventive medical examinations
While Angerer’s mother and aunt were diagnosed with breast cancer in good time thanks to a preventive check-up, Russ was diagnosed with prostate cancer himself a few years ago.
“My message is to show how important it is as a man to take precautionary measures early,” says the long-time professional from Eintracht Frankfurt: “To take away the fear and allow yourself a lot of time for your own body.”
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Roth found that “women deal with the issue much more seriously and emotionally than men”. That is why he also appeals to wives and girlfriends to position themselves as the driving force: “Men are often more cautious because many have last seen a pediatrician’s practice from the inside and the inhibition threshold is often quite high.”
In any case, says the former handball player, nobody has to be afraid: “A visit to the dentist is still much more unpleasant for me than any preventive check-up.”
Originally published February 1, 2021, 3:05 PM
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