Laura Umphrey, Associate Professor in the School of Communication at Northern Arizona University, examined the effects of gain versus loss frame types of messages and depth of message processing on perceived testicular cancer susceptibility and attitudes toward performing testicular self-examinations (TSEs).  Gain frame messages emphasize the benefits of performing testicular self-exams, whereas loss frame messages emphasize the costs associated with not performing testicular exams. A gain frame message used in her study was by doing a monthly TSE, you will know what your normal healthy testicle feels like and will be able to recognize any changes. A loss-frame message used in her study was by not doing a monthly TSE, you will not know what your normal, healthy testicle feels like and will be unaware of any changes. Study participants exposed to loss frame messages reported feelings of greater perceived testicular cancer susceptibility than study participants exposed to gain frame messages. In addition, she found that males exposed to loss frame messages and who reported greater motivation and ability to process the cancer message had more positive attitudes toward conducting TSEs than those exposed to gain frame messages and reporting lower levels of motivation and ability to process cancer messages.  These study findings, published in 2003 in Communication Research Reports, Volume 20, illustrate the potential effectiveness of using loss frame messages to encourage males to conduct TSEs.

Shawn Parkhurst, a 20-year-old junior swimming sensation at Canisius College and native of Scirba, NY, experienced firsthand the beginning stages of testicular cancer.  In November 2010, Shawn noticed a small lump on his testicle during a self-examination.  Shawn was fortunate enough to have been educated in high school through Mexico High’s Health and Physical Education Department about testicular cancer because a former classmate was diagnosed with the same disease a few years prior.

Shawn’s neighbor and former classmate was a promising high school football star whose dreams and aspirations were delayed when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. He then successfully battled the disease and has since been cleared after chemotherapy and other forms of treatment.  It took this incident for testicular cancer education to be incorporated into the Mexico High School health curriculum.

Because Shawn received extensive knowledge about testicular cancer in high school, he did not take the lump he discovered lightly.  He acted immediately by visiting the Canisius College Health Center, where he was then directed to go to the Buffalo Urology Group.  He then underwent tests and examinations from the doctors who were concerned with the lump.  It was in the 2^nd week of January in 2010 when Shawn had the lump on his testicle removed.  Although the lump was not malignant at the time, the doctors needed to remove it because it was causing discomfort and also showed growth over time.  Since then, Shawn has had his 6-month and 1-year follow- up appointments and is completely healthy.  Shawn feels that he is very blessed to have caught the lump early enough to avoid experiencing any worse symptoms.

Along with being a 2-time member of the MAAC All-Academic team, he is a 3- time conference champion that holds the 1,000 freestyle MAAC record, which took place at the Bert Flickinger Center here in Western, NY.  Shawn also holds 5 individual school records, was a member of 4 rely records, and holds 2 KAC pool individual records.  Most impressively, Shawn is heading down to Ft. Myers, FL April 27, 2012 to take part in the open water Olympic trials, a 6.2-mile swim.  Parkhurst has managed to succeed in his academics and the pool while maintaining his health.  To just add to his already impressive resume, Shawn has been an original Carly’s Club member (since the age of 10) who takes part in Carly’s Crossing, a charity swim held in the Buffalo Harbor.

At the end of my conversation with Shawn he stated, “5 minutes in the shower each month conducting a self-exam could save your life.”  He urges males to perform self-examinations at least once a month and is also a firm believer in testicular cancer knowledge being spread to high school students, just like he was privileged enough to receive at his school.  Shawn Parkhurst was able to escape cancer by performing a self-exam, which allowed him to continue on swimming towards his dreams.

To learn more about what mothers thought about the Check Yo Nutz campaign we conducted three different focus groups of mothers of males ages 15-25. A total of 22 mothers of different ages and races participated in three different focus group discussions.

During these discussions mothers told us that they were not aware that their sons were at risk for testicular cancer. 

While mothers received handouts from physicians on a wide range of health concerns and safety precautions, none had ever received educational materials on testicular cancer.

Mothers in all three groups indicated that they had never discussed testicular cancer (TC) or testicular self exams (TSE) with their sons. Mothers also agreed that their husbands were not conducting regular TSEs or discussing TC with their sons. 

When asked whether there was anything that would help them introduce the topic of TC and TSEs to their sons most agreed that some type of written material on TC and TSEs would be most helpful. 

At the end of the focus group discussions we shared our written materials with the mothers and asked whether or not they were offended by the images and messages. All focus group attendees agreed that they were not offended and that the messages were appropriate for the target audience.  Mothers were so receptive to our educational materials that they asked whether they could take them home to share with their sons and husbands.

We are happy to report that our campaign messages and materials were…MOM APPROVED!

Last year we set out to educate males about testicular cancer (TC), reduce the stigma associated with TC and encourage males to perform testicular self exams (TSE).

We are happy to report that we accomplished many of these goals!

How do we know that we accomplished these goals? Because we collected self-report surveys from 272 males on campus about TC knowledge and TC related behaviors prior to and after the Check Yo Nutz campaign.

The table below summarizes the results of our campaign efforts in the following areas: awareness of TC, behavioral intent and TC related behaviors. As you can see from this table (1=lowest score, 5= highest score), males knew very little about TC coming into the campaign (pre-test) but knew significantly more about TC after the campaign ended (post test).

These changes illustrate the impact that the campaign messages had on males’ attitudes and behaviors. As the campaign continues each year, we hope to see these numbers continue to rise as the messages are repeated and young men are reminded each year to conduct TSEs through the Check Yo Nutz campaign.

Professors and students involved with the campaign submitted a paper that summarizes this research to a national conference. This data supports the use of our messaging strategies to educate males about TC and encourage males to conduct TSEs.

How did you know something was wrong when you developed TC?

“I had recently torn my Achilles tendon and was laid out on the couch for a little while because of surgery that I had for it. While laid out on my couch, I had felt a hard lump, and had already been experiencing a slight pain the previous few days before.”

Previous to your diagnosis, did you know anything about TC?

“Very little, everyone knows about Lance Armstrong but that’s it.”

Once you were diagnosed, how easy or difficult was it to obtain information about TC?

“Fairly difficult, there wasn’t a lot of information readily available, but I went to the website testicularcancer.org. It wasn’t so much of a website as it was more like a blog of real life stories. Another local man found me on this website, and he had survived it a few years before, so he and his wife took my wife and I out to dinner to explain what he had gone through.”

Once you understood your diagnosis, how did you react?

“It was extremely scary once I had finally been told. However, the doctor I had approached about it wasn’t concerned at first, so he had me go for an ultrasound. Then it was an Urologist that found that it was actually cancer. The time of waiting to find out though; those eight hours of not knowing, that was the most terrifying part of my life. Your mind tends to play tricks on you in that type of distress. ”

What kind of treatment did you go through, and how did it affect your coaching?

“The first part of the treatment was an orchiectomy where I had my right testicle removed. After a few more scans to see if it had spread, I then went for a RPLND surgery. That’s a retroperitoneal lymph node dissection. Basically, they opened me up completely from the front and checked all of my organs and spine to ensure that it hadn’t spread at all.”

What kind support and help did you receive during your treatment?

“Everyone was extremely supportive, but that’s not to say that my closest loved ones weren’t constantly scared for me. It’s simply a traumatic event for everyone.”

Could CYN campaign have helped you during your treatment?

“Absolutely. It was kind of a struggle finding solid information about it, so it would have made a world of difference having someone or something local to provide that information.”

Do you feel that your experience with TC could help educate others?

“Yes I do. It may not be the most prominent form of cancer that is known, but more people had it than you might initially think. Turns out that a guy who works across the desk from me that I’ve known for years had TC once too.”

Do you think that humor is a good way to communicate about TC and that humorous messages could help to reduce stigma associated with the disease?

“Humor is definitely a good way. I’ve always been a very blunt person, not afraid to say what it is. So when I’m around friends, my wife, or my team and I say “Oh you’re breaking my ball,” that occasionally raises a question or two. It’s that ice breaker that leads to the important topic of awareness about it.”

After all is said and done, what would you say to men ages 15-40?

“Don’t think that it can’t happen to you! Everyone has to go through some sort of experience related to their health in life, it may not be cancer, but everyone gets or has something. We all walk around like superman with that big “S” on our chest, but once we’re faced with our own mortality, then that’s our kryptonite. After I finished my treatment I returned to the doctor and said “I just had a very intense life-changing experience and there will be other young men who will go through the same thing. Make sure that you let them know how to reach me so they have someone who knows how to get through it.” The most important thing I would suggest is be proactive about your health, and you’ll live a good life.”

- Mark Kosowski

The college held a three day event to keep spreading awareness about testicular cancer. Students had an opportunity to see instructional videos and props were even set up to offer students a chance to see how self exams are done.

Representatives from WCA and WNY Urology were also in attendance to help nursing students spread the message by passing out pamphlets and shower cards to the attendees.

Sammy was on the scene posing with students, distributing educational materials and encouraging students to participate in the event. His presence was appreciated by all of the students who attended.

“Sammy has been huge here,” said Shaina Reynolds, a student in JCC’s nursing program.

On the final day of the event Daniel Heims, JCC director of student life, gave a speech to the students about his own personal battle with testicular cancer that he faced in the summer of 2003.

“Before I was diagnosed, I really didn’t know much about testicular cancer. I knew the basics about self exams but nothing too specific,” Heims said. “When I was first told I had the disease I was shocked. Having to call my mother back in the states to tell her I had to have surgery because I might have cancer, I didn’t know how to go about that.”

When Heims was diagnosed with the disease he was living with his ex-girlfriend and her family in Germany. Seven years later, he is healthy and finds it important to raise awareness on a subject that does not receive enough attention.

His goal was that when students left his presentation, they knew that they weren’t
invincible to the disease. He wants people to know it’s okay to ask for help and listen to advice from others so they can beat testicular cancer like he did.

Thanks to Jamestown Community College for helping us educate males about TC!

- Jimmy Graziano

Photo By: Andrew Skolnick

You might be wondering why we would choose to tackle the taboo topic of testicular cancer. Well…here are the answers that you have been waiting for!

The idea for this project began in the spring of 2009, when five Canisius College students had to decide on a topic to research for a Persuasion class taught by Dr. Melissa Wanzer. The students were Elyse Krezmien, Sara LaBelle, Megan Tremblay, David Jackson and Ja’Nay Carswell.

Elyse Krezmien was the first to introduce the idea of working on a testicular cancer campaign. Elyse told us that she suggested the topic because her family had a history of cancer and breast cancer in particular. She said that she was especially interested in the enormous difference in support between women/men afflicted with breast cancer and men suffering from testicular cancer. In her mind, they are comparable diseases yet there is almost no mention of testicular cancer in the public realm.

In addition, Dr. Melissa Wanzer indicated that she had a close friend that was diagnosed with the disease during college.

Read More >>

By: Jackie Lewandowski

I recently sat down with Youngstown State University Basketball Star and Jimmy V Comeback Player Award recipient Dallas Blocker.  Having survived TC himself, Dallas shares some insights for other males.

When you were growing up, was basketball always your biggest passion?

“Yes, it was always basketball, and I always wanted to play division one since I was a kid.  I never played big leagues, but I played some local leagues in Kansas.”

Could you ever have imagined playing basketball for Youngstown State University? Did it feel like your dreams were coming true?

“I couldn’t have imagined myself getting past high school basketball, so it was a real surprise. It (the level of play) was much higher and was more physical and the speed was much more demanding.  I had to be more physical, but I worked hard at it.”

How did you know something was wrong when you developed TC?

“It came to me before the summer, before I came back for school.  I got a physical and had some discomfort and a bump. During the season I had more discomfort in my stomach and abdomen, and I couldn’t sleep at night.  I couldn’t walk around at times and then sometimes I didn’t feel it at all.”

Previous to your diagnosis, what did you know about TC?

“The only thing I knew was that people like Lance Armstrong and Tom Green had it, and I remembered his (Green’s) little song he made up.  I never knew that much more about it.”

After understanding your diagnosis, how did you react?

“Honestly I had no idea how to react to that. They were just telling me things and I thought I was being pulled in twelve different directions.  I was scared and shocked.”

What kind of treatment did you go through, and how did this affect your basketball?

“First they wanted to have a removal of the tumor and they found it had spread to the other, so I had two surgeries. It was right before I had to go to summer school.  I had four rounds of chemotherapy that lasted 5 days a week and 6hrs a day that lasted the whole summer in Youngstown, and then I was clear a month after that.”

After everything you’ve gone through, you managed to produce great numbers on the court, what’s the secret?

“My way of dealing with this thing was keeping it off my mind and staying positive by joking around. When I went through chemo it was “I’m going to play basketball again”, and now it’s “I survived, and I cannot let anyone down.”

Now that you have been told that you are The Jimmy V Comeback Player Award Recipient, how does that make you feel?

“It’s a great feeling. Growing up and watching the ESPYS, I could have only imagined being there, and everything these people are, what they are.  To be recognized is a great accomplishment that shows I went through a lot to get here.”

Before you received the award, what did you know about The Jimmy V Award?

“I had seen the video before and I kind of saw it back in high school before I got diagnosed, and now it hits home.   That video was a motivator for me even back then.”

Could something like the Check Yo Nutz Campaign have helped you when you were going through TC?

“If I would have had more knowledge of TC signs and symptoms I wouldn’t have waited so long.  I think it would have (helped) because I’ve seen everything for breast cancer, but you hardly ever hear or see anything about TC.”

Do you feel that your experience can help educate others about TC?

“It has already helped my little brother and his friends who have heard my story.  The main message for them is to check yourself.”

Do you think humor is a good way to communicate about TC?

“Guys our age like to joke around, and if you hit a spot like humor that we are used to, we will see it and laugh, but also read into it more. Guys don’t like to look at medical stuff, they like to see funny photos and hear jokes, we learn more that way.”

Do you feel that the humorous messages can work to reduce the stigma associated with this disease?

“Yeah I think so; it should lighten the load off of things. If you can do it, others will do it too and lives will be saved.”

Will you work to advocate for TC survivors in the future?

“Yeah that is exactly what I want to do. I want to tell kids my story and point them to what to expect and what to look for.  I think my basketball will help because they see me as a role model and will pay more attention to me.”

What else are you planning to do after graduation?

“I want to be a high school history teacher, and possibly become a head basketball coach at a school back home.  I’ve always liked history, and in high school I was inspired by one of my teachers and so it’s something I have always wanted.”

Are you looking forward to going to the ESPYS?

“Yeah, by far it’s the best thing to happen to me, unless you count surviving cancer.”

Who will you bring?

“It depends on how many people I can bring.  My mom, teammates, and my dad are at the top of that list.”

Is there anyone you want to meet when you are there?

“I definitely want to meet LeBron James, but I haven’t thought too much about it.  Big NBA stars in general are who I look up to and would like to meet.”

After all is said and done, what would you say to males 15-40?

“My advice would be check yourself as much as you can. I’m not saying all the time, but if you are sitting there and feel like your stomach hurts just get it checked out.  For me, I thought it was sports pains or stomach pains and then got it checked and caught it early.  Just check it out, get educated, and to know what to expect.”

By: Katie Shaw
Welcome to CheckYoNutz.org! We are officially launched and ready to bring you the latest up-to-date information on testicular cancer.

Canisius College and Roswell Park Cancer Institute have joined forces to raise awareness of testicular cancer through the Check Yo Nutz campaign. Canisius College students, faculty and staff worked closely with members of Roswell Park Cancer Institute to generate ideas on the best ways to reach out to young men and women about testicular cancer. This website, designed by college age men and women, is part of the informational material that resulted from this collaboration!

CheckYoNutz.com offers its users an easy and informative way to learn more about testicular cancer. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), warning signs, survivor stories, and links to testicular cancer forums are all featured on the website. A step-by-step procedure for performing a testicular self-exam is also offered to aid in the early detection of the disease. In the future, we will be featuring top news stories on testicular cancer.

Some people may be nervous to approach a physician with questions about testicular cancer. The goal is of this website is to serve as a stepping stone to help open that line of communication between the patient and health care provider. If you know what to look for and what to ask, it can be easier to take the next step.

We are pleased to have this site up and running, and hope that it will be useful to you in the future. Thanks for visiting!

Sammy is already found a friend in DJ Anthony is Kiss 98.5 FM