Raebel: Self-exams important for young men

Cary-Grove grad AJ Raebel, who begins chemotherapy treatments Monday for testicular cancer, first noticed a problem with his health in March.

That is when Raebel, a two-time all-American linebacker at Wisconsin-Whitewater, discovered a lump on his left testicle.

Detecting a problem is the first step to a quick diagnosis, said Raebel, who is urging young men to perform testicular self-exams.

"There is no reason that you can't check yourself in the shower," Raebel said. "You'll know if something's different."

Numerous Web sites, including the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org, contain step-by-step instructions on self-exams.

And if someone notices a problem during a self-exam, Raebel said the next step should be to call a doctor.

"If you think you have a problem, just get in (to see a doctor)," he said. "Don't make an excuse not to get checked out."

Barry Bottino writes a weekly column and a blog about local college athletes for the Northwest Herald. Write to him at BarryOnCampus@hotmail.com and check out his On Campus column every Saturday in the Northwest Herald sports section.