While pink ribbons increase internet searches about breast cancer by 180% each October, awareness campaigns for testicular and prostate cancer have been far less successful. There is a stigma surrounding men’s cancer prevention in the media and in society that brings less awareness than predominantly female cancers. Now is the perfect time to start changing this narrative as November is National Men’s Health Awareness Month. Educators can do their part by training the next generation of healthcare professionals how to perform testicular and prostate cancer exams with cost-effective skills trainers. 

Testicular Cancer

Testicular Cancer is the most common malignancy for males aged 15 to 40 and cases are on the rise across the globe. Prompt diagnosis and treatment is essential as survival rates are approximately 99% when testicular cancer is found before it has a chance to spread to other areas of the body. Self-examination of the testicles is just as important as self-examination of female breasts to detect tumors, but many men do not perform them regularly. Educators can use skills trainers like the Life/form™ Testicular Exam Simulator to not only raise awareness about the importance of the procedure, but to teach best practices for self-assessment. This simulator features soft and thin outer skin with delicate underlying structures and four embedded masses for demonstrating proper palpation techniques. It comes ready to use with a bottle of baby powder, a laminated instruction card, and a male self-exam brochure. 

Prostate Cancer

Prostate Cancer is the second most common type of cancer in American males and prevalence rises steadily with age. Other risk factors include African-American ancestry, low physical activity, and eating red meat that has been cooked at high temperatures. While self-examination is not an option for prostate cancer screening, digital rectal examination (DRE) and Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) blood tests can detect malignancy before it has time to metastasize. Frequent screenings and testing is essential to early detection and treatment, but students must first master the skills required to accurately assess the prostate for enlargement or malignancy. The 3B Scientific™ Prostate Examination Trainer is an excellent teaching option to prepare students for treating standardized patients. It contains four different prostates in a compact container so that students can practice palpating healthy tissue along with carcinoma and benign hyperplasia. Four respective transrectal sonographic images are also printed on the outside of the simulator to enhance student understanding.  

Conclusion

When testicular and prostate cancers are detected and treated early, the chances of survival are very high. National Men’s Health Awareness Month is an ideal opportunity to encourage men to perform testicular self-examinations and undergo screening for prostate cancer. Examination simulators provide consistent and unlimited practice opportunities for students to master these vital assessment skills. The DiaMedical team is ready to help educators balance cost and functionality to find the right skills trainers for their healthcare training programs. For more information, reach out to a DiaMedical expert at 877-593-6011 or info@diamedicalusa.com 

References

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