Should I talk with my Dad about my kid brother doing self exams......

[Hopeful Wife]

Since my husband was diagnosed with testicular cancer I came to this forum I had no idea that little boys could get testicular cancer. I have a 13 year old half brother and I was wondering should I discuss with my Dad about my brother doing self exams? I would hate the thought of my brother being too scared to tell anyone if he noticed anything different. I thought that if my Dad tells my brother he should do self exams he would be aware if anything abnormal where to happen. My grandfather had prostate cancer a few years ago he is fine now. I just wonder if I have the right to tell my Dad to make my brother aware of testicular cancer signs.

Any advice would be good. I just don't ever want my brother to go through what my husband has gone through.

[Scott]

Yes, all teenage boys should be taught to perform a monthly testicular self-examination. They should know that the odds of having testicular cancer are low, but that it is the most common cancer among young men, and it's almost always cured if caught early. Good instructions are available at this TCRC page, and the Sean Kimerling Foundation offers shower cards.

[Fed]

I have a 13 year old half brother and I was wondering should I discuss with my Dad about my brother doing self exams?

Absolutely. In fact, I think this is something that should be taught in schools as part of the physical education or health education curricula.

[mstlyn]

The shower cards are a good idea. Along with education about TC in school, the shower cards should be given to them free of charge.

It is so important to educate youngsters about TC. As we all know when it comes to our youth, they are most often embarrassed to discuss something like that.

The teen group can be heard making jokes about "balls" and they also see them as part of what makes them a man.

For many, dad (especially if the relationship is strained, and lets not forget that many do not have fathers around that they can go to) is not someone they can tell, and it can be even harder for some to tell mom.

They are likely to ignore a lump (even older guys do this) brushing it off as nothing, or something that will just go away.

Unfortunately with TC, time wasted can end up being a very costly mistake.

ALL youth should be educated about TC, and it would even help if they were given a "hotline" that they can call if they are too embarrassed to go to someone they know.

Does anyone know if such a 'hotline' exists? If not, maybe we can find out how to set something like that up??

One thing I noticed on the site for the shower cards is this:

"Unfortunately, half of all men diagnosed with testicular cancer do not seek medical attention until after the cancer has spread to other areas of the body "


True statement, but I see they fail to mention how Doctor's fail so many of these guys too, through mis-diagnosis, or brushing it off as nothing.

[mstlyn]

Lost Post??

I'm bringing this one up again because I asked a question in the previous post in this thread.

Mainly .. does anyone know if there is an existing hotline that young guys can call for help if they have symptoms of TC, and for whatever reason may feel they can't go to a parent or someone they know for help?

I am thinking that there isn't since I have seen numerous young guys come here expressing that they are embarrassed to tell mom or dad, and have never seen anyone offer a hotline number to any of them.

Sometimes there is no father, no mother, or parents that just don't care.

I am interested in finding out how to get something like this in place for those that may have the need.

Any ideas where to start?

[fuse929]

It is regulated for all types of cancer, but I called the free American Cancer Society hot line with some of my TC questions, and they were helpful. Most of the information they give is the same stuff one can find by searching the web, but they also have a feature where an oncologist will do research on advanced questions and call you back within a day or two. It is a nice free program.

Bobby

[sldl1106]

A PSA by a young actor or athlete running on MTV, VH1, and the sports channels could help make it a relatable issue. The demographic might be too young to relate to Lance Armstrong, and as someone noted on another post, most of them have no idea who Tom Green is when he documented his ordeal with TC on MTV.