A Father’s
Challenge to Educators and the Medical Community!
Educators
Over the past twelve years since Jason's
death we have strived to help educate young men about Testicular
Cancer and the changes in their bodies as early warning signs.
On several occasions I have received comments from school
nurses that they want to use our material, but that they would
have to get permission from their school boards in order to
share our video and brochures with students because they would
view it as a "Sex Education Issue". Testicular Cancer
is a Health Issue and has nothing to do with sex education.
While the testicles are a part of the male reproduction system,
this education effort is no more sex education related than
education on breast cancer is for young women.
Please don't let overly conservative views
by uninformed persons prevent you from educating young men
about this form of cancer. Testicular Cancer is the Number
One cancer killer of young men 15-35 years of age.
Had a health teacher or coach taken the time
and effort to share this information with Jason earlier in
school, his outcome may have been very different.
The Medical Community
During physical examinations we have all
been asked to turn our heads and cough for a hernia examination,
but how many young men have ever been checked or even told
about Testicular Cancer! At 61 years of age I can say for
myself - NEVER!
I don't understand the reluctance on the
part of doctors to check & tell young men about Testicular
Cancer. Jason had three physicals during the six-month period
that the cancer was growing undetected in his body and not
one time was he checked or even told about Testicular Cancer
by the examining physician.
How many more young men are going to have
to face these same results before testicular examinations
become as common as breast examinations?
Parents insist that your son's doctor do
this as a part of their regular physical examination. Have
them show your son how to perform a monthly testicular self-examination
and encourage your son to do it. It could save his life.
Tom Struble
Jason's Father |
