Hollywood author playwright, screenwriter and testicular cancer survivor Byron Lane wants to educate young men about testicular cancer.
Testicular cancer is the number one cancer among young men however 62% of those who are most at risk do not know how to check themselves. Lane wants to change that.
In 2015 while giving himself an “unofficial self-exam” Lane felt a lump and knew from Movember, the Testicular Cancer Society and other awareness campaigns that he should reach out to his doctor who then made the unfortunate diagnosis.
Lane’s self-exam caught the cancer early enough and was treated accordingly by his doctor. If the cancer had not been caught early the risk of it spreading and causing other severe health problems would have increased.
Unfortunately that was not the end of Lane’s cancer battle, years later a routine scan showed his cancer had come back in his lymph nodes which required chemo and surgery.
“It was a tough road but there were many beautiful moments.” Land recalled. “There was the older lady getting chemo at the same time as me who was always knitting—and it turned out she was knitting me a cap. I posted about my experience on social media and I made friends all over the country who were going through the same things. And being honest about feeling vulnerable, scared, and even annoyed by the diagnosis, helped strengthen my relationships with my boyfriend and family.”
After his cancer battle Lane is now one of Movember’s celebrity ambassadors. He chronicled his testicular cancer journey in the web series Last Will & Testicle (which he also wrote and acted as co-star). He’s also been very vocal about his journey on social media to help and inspire others who may be in the same situation.
Last month, Movember launched Nuts & Bolts, an online tool to help young men develop a better understanding of testicular cancer – and a resource for those who have experienced it – and provide them with the information and tools to live happier, healthier, and longer lives.
Lane says, “The best thing you can do for your testicles is give them a bit of a feel each month or so, and if something doesn’t seem right, head to the doctor.”
Learn more about testicular cancer by visiting https://us.movember.com/mens-health/testicular-cancer
