Comedian Michael Shafar draws on testicular cancer battle in Melbourne International Comedy Festival show

Writer and comedian Michael Shafar says humour has helped him through his journey of recovery from testicular cancer — and now he’s fronting a campaign to help other men.

Writer and comedian Michael Shafar says humour has helped him through his journey of recovery from testicular cancer.

Shafar’s show, 50/50, at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, is a raw and personal account of his experience.

“Being able to laugh at something serious felt empowering,’’ Shafar said.

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“If you laugh at something tragic you don’t feel like the victim. I wouldn’t go as far as to say it was therapeutic but it gave me a meaning and a purpose.

Josh Glanc, Michael Shafar and Frenchy team up to raise funds for the Movember Foundation. Picture: AAP Image

“The show is a bit darker because I talk about mortality but most of it is light and funny.”

Shafar was diagnosed in 2017 at age 26 and after almost six months of chemotherapy and numerous rounds of surgery he is on the road to full recovery.

April is Testicular Cancer Awareness Month, and Shafar is one of the faces fronting the Movember Foundation’s Know Thy Nuts campaign.

He joined fellow Melbourne comedy festival comedians Frenchy and Josh Glanc in a photo shoot to help raise awareness for the importance of men adding regular self-checks to their shower routine.

Michael Shafar, 50/50, until April 21, The Victoria Hotel Boardroom.