Let’s Talk About Testicles For A Minute, Shall We?
I know, it’s not a very comfortable topic, right? Unfortunately, the fact is that Testicular Cancer is the #1 cancer in young men ages 15 to 35?, so it’s a conversation that we all need to have with our children and amongst ourselves.
I’m proud to participating in the Team Single Jingles “Man UP Monday” project for a number of reasons. One of my friends was diagnosed, treated and cured of testicular cancer, while fresh out of high school. I also think it’s important for men to speak up, to let others know that it’s okay to do the same. Finally, I am father to a son of my own, who needs to know that Testicular Cancer is highly survivable if detected early and that the two of us should be doing a monthly self-exam.
I have never been one to shy away from visiting my doctor and I have vowed to talk to my son about taking care of himself, especially when it comes to the awkward topic of a testicular exam. I am now challenging you to take the same vow. That one, potentially uncomfortable conversation could be enough to save your child’s life and it’s absolutely one worth having.
For more information, please stop by the Testicular Cancer Foundation website
and Request a FREE shower card with self-exam instructions – it just might save a young man in your life! I’ll leave you with a great video, put together by the incredible Jim Higley, along with some of the other Single Jingles Parenting Crew.
thanks for posting. I think it is really important for men to realize this. For so many years breast exams have been promoted as helping to detect breast cancer early, there is no reason why this shouldn’t be also.
Thanks, Ashley. I completely agree and I know that as hard as it is for a man to even admit he needs to see a doctor, it can be even tougher to have the discussion with someone else. It’s important that we stop worrying about the awkwardness and start talking about the issues before they become issues.
The great thing about talking about men’s health issues is that just by talking about them you create conversation about them. Women know this. That’s why local TV stations promote breast self exam days (Buddy Check, Friends for Life, etc.) And once you begin a conversation, you can see effects of that conversation. You take the taboo away from it, and people can start to act on it.
A good friend of mine lost his testicle to cancer while we were in our early thirties. It was an unexpected and scary journey. Luckily, he is now healthy and cancer-free. This is such an important subject – thank you for blogging about it.
Thanks for posting this Chris. Such an important conversation.
My husband was diagnosed with testicular cancer when he was 36. So he was actually older than the norm. It was detected rather early and had still already spread. But when caught early, it’s very treatable. Surgery and chemo and over 2 years later, he is cancer free.
But we always had conversations about how difficult it would be for teenagers to talk about this. If their testicle suddenly changed in size/feeling, would they be comfortable telling someone? Who would they turn to? The more we talk about it, and tell our sons to check, our spouses to get checked etc. the more awareness there is.
Thank you for this!