WARN MEN ABOUT TESTICULAR CANCER SYMPTOMS

By failing to check for symptoms of testicular cancer, young men put their fertility, their health, and their very lives at risk. Testicular cancer is the most common type of cancer in males ages 15-34. Yet men in this age group often ignore signs of testicular cancer — because they are too embarrassed to seek medical attention, because they think testicular cancer only happens to "old" men, or because they simply do not know the symptoms of testicular cancer.

Common symptoms of testicular cancer include:

• A swelling and/or lump in one or both of the testes, with or without pain.
• A feeling of heaviness in the scrotum.
• A dull feeling of pain in the region of the lower abdominal area, groin, or lower back.

Infections, inflammations, physical injuries, cysts, hernias, and kidney stones are among other conditions that have these types of symptoms. Thus, men with signs of testicular cancer may shrug off their symptoms as one of these problems. That is what cyclist Lance Armstrong did — and the inaction almost killed him. Armstrong had a feeling something was wrong three years before his diagnosis, but he did not seek medical attention until the situation became so bad that he couldn't sit on his bike. By that point, the cancer had spread to various parts of his body, including his brain.

Time is precious in the battle against testicular cancer. It is one of the most highly curable forms of cancer — when found early. The good news is that men can take charge of their health. By being aware of the symptoms of testicular cancer and knowing their bodies through monthly self-exams, men can quickly bring any potential problems to their doctor's attention.

• Print out guides for doing a testicular self-exam. Put copies in places where men can discreetly take one, such as washrooms and locker rooms. Ask local pharmacies and medical centers to put copies in their waiting areas.
• Help high school students to learn the symptoms of testicular cancer by printing out self-exam guides written with teens in mind. Ask coaches or health education teachers to distribute.
• Create a bulletin board or display for your local library. Include self-exam guides that patrons can take, pictures and information on celebrities who have battled testicular cancer, and copies of books such as Scott Hamilton's "Landing It: My Life On and Off the Ice" and Lance Armstrong's "It's Not about the Bike: My Journey Back to Life."
• Send a cleverly written chain letter from the Testicular Cancer Resource Center to ten men under the age of 35 to encourage them to be on the lookout for signs of testicular cancer.