Roughy leaves a legacy
We take a look at some of the greatest lessons we've learnt from one of Australia’s favourite football sons, Jarryd Roughead. He's announced his retirement after 15 years with the Hawthorn Football Club.
Jarryd ‘Roughy’ Roughead has announced this will be his last AFL season after a decorated football career; a Coleman Medallist, Captain, two time all-Australian and four-time premiership player.
“I am content with everything I have achieved in my career to date and I know it’s the right time for myself, my family and the club,” Roughead said.
“To play this great game for such a long time and to have experienced success like we have is something I’ll never take for granted. I want to thank everyone at the Hawthorn Football Club for supporting me through all the highs and lows. The bonds and friendships I’ve made will last a lifetime.”
Making a name for yourself as a star footballer is one thing, but making a genuine difference to the health and wellbeing of Australians is, arguably, an even greater achievement.
Roughy had the nation holding their breath after a skin cancer diagnosis in 2016. A melanoma which he had cut out of his lip the year prior had come back after treatment and the cancer had spread to his lungs.
He took part in a new immunotherapy treatment, a combination of Opdivo (nivolumab) and Yervoy (ipilimumab) and was declared cancer-free just months later to the relief and astonishment of many.
LISTEN TO THE PODCAST: Peter "Huddo" Hudson's words of wisdom for retiring Hawk Jarryd Roughead and reflections on life after football.
The experience prompted him to sign on as an ambassador of the ‘Helping our Health’ campaign to raise awareness of the value of clinical trials in Australia.
“Initially, I thought the clinical trial was a bit of a long shot, but it saved my life. We need more trials to improve drugs and treatments. I don’t think there should be any negative stigma surrounding it,” he told Hamish McLachlan.
“A lot of people think that it’s only available to the people that are sick, but in actual fact, it’s for anyone that’s open to being a participant and willing to try different trials that could benefit not only people that are sick, but people that are fully healthy.”
He also became an advocate for sun safety and skin cancer awareness, encouraging footy fans to cover up and undertake regular skin checks.
In honour of Jarryd Roughead and his stellar career, take a close look at your skin regularly, and always remember to slip, slop, slap, seek and slide.
When trying to work out if a mole could be cancerous, remember the ABCDE of skin checking:
A = Asymmetry: Look for spots that are uneven and lack symmetry.
B = Border: Look out for spots with a border that is spreading, notched, irregular or blurred.
C = Colour: Look out for spots made up of more than one colour e.g. brown, black, red, white or blue.
D = Diameter: Look out for spots that are larger than 6 millimetres, or are growing bigger.
E = Evolving: Look out for spots that are changing in shape, colour, elevation, firmness or another trait (such as itching, bleeding or crusting).None of these signs mean that the mole IS cancerous, however they are indications that you should promptly get the mole or spot checked by a health professional.
People who are at high risk of developing skin cancer (e.g. those who work outdoors or who have a family or personal history of skin cancer) should also have a skin check with a qualified health professional every 3-12 months, or as often as your doctor recommends.
Bupa is the official Health and Care Partner of the Hawthorn Football Club.
