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October Cancer Awareness Month
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Anonymous user Tue Oct 16, 2007 09:36:14 PDT
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0 responses 0 comments Rudy Hernandez, along with the help of Kaiser Permanente, is urging families and physicians to help in the fight against cancer as October marks Testicular Cancer Awareness Month in California.

After meeting Hernandez, a cancer survivor, at a California State University, Bakersfield alumni event in 2005, then-Assemblyman Kevin McCarthy, agreed to introduce House Resolution 22 declaring October as Testicular Cancer Awareness month. Together with Kaiser Permanente the group encouraged Kern County to educate themselves about the disease.

“Rudy's story shows that cancer does not discriminate,” said Dr. Abhay Risbud, Hernandez’s Kaiser Permanente oncologist. “Many think that cancer is a disease that only afflicts older people, but younger generations need to know that they are at risk too and take the appropriate precautions.”

Hernandez was diagnosed with advanced testicular cancer in April 2004 when he was 28 years old, and with his cancer now in remission, has devoted his life to educating men about the importance of self-exams and early detection. “I want to thank Congressman McCarthy and Kaiser for bringing this important issue to the public’s attention,” Hernandez said. “Men need to understand that early detection is critical, and they can’t let embarrassment stop them from seeking the treatment that could save their lives.

“Testicular cancer is the most common form of cancer in men ages 15 to 40, yet too many men are afraid to even get a check-up, putting their lives at risk,” he said. “As we mark Testicular Cancer Awareness Month, I encourage all men to conduct self-exams on a regular basis, and urge doctors to stress the importance of these exams with their patients.”

The American Cancer Society estimates that 7,920 young men will be diagnosed with testicular cancer this year alone. Nearly 400 of them will die from the disease. However, greater awareness and early detection can help save lives, as the disease is one of the most curable cancers and has a 90 percent cure rate when detected in its early stages.

Symptoms may include a lump or sore on the testicle, pain or soreness, a persistent cough, blood in the urine and stomach and bowel problems.

Hernandez, who graduated from CSUB with his master’s in social work last June, is working on grants to support his non-profit organization to aide cancer patients and their caregivers. He was recently hired on at Kaiser Permanente as a mental health therapist. Coincidentally, Hernandez was a patient of Kaiser’s undergoing treatment for cancer when he first thought about going back to school to pursue the social work field.

“As Rudy's health care provider and employer, Kaiser Permanente has strongly supported his health and the health of others by partnering in the announcement of the first Testicular Cancer Awareness Month and promoting awareness of the preventable disease,” said Natalie Erlendson, public affairs representative for Kaiser Permanente Kern County. The organization plans to place awareness posters throughout their Kern County facilities in honor of the month as well as notify their male employees.

Kaiser Permanente offers detailed information about testicular self-examinations, symptoms and treatment for testicular cancer and much more in their online health encyclopedia at www.kp.org

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