an increased incidence.
so immediately I thought this has nothing to do with
But many men with testicular cancer have no known
serious disease," recalls Calcott Imerman.
risk factors.
When the pain worsened the next day, Calcott
Beltzman knew more about testicular cancer than the
Imerman went to the emergency room, where doctors
average person. His father died of it in 1976. His par-
diagnosed him with a bacterial infection..A month later,
ents taught him how to check himself. That's one of the
when he still had lingering pain — and with his family
reasons why he found a pea-sized lump on the side of
begging him to see a urologist — Calcott Imerman
his testicle three years ago. There was no pain, and he
finally went. His cancer's stage was between 2 (cancer
hoped it would just go away. It didn't.
has spread to lymph nodes in the abdomen) and 3 (it
After surgery to remove the testicle, with a stage 1
has spread to more distant sites).
diagnosis, doctors suggested a "wait-and-see" approach
"It's mind boggling that I did that," Calcott Imerman
(Beltzman's tumor was not responsive to either radiation
admitted about waiting. "But I managed to push it out
or chemotherapy). Like Calcott Imerman, he opted for
of my mind that hard."
surgery to remove his abdominal lymph nodes. In his
Delaying the diagnosis by anywhere from two to four
case, this was a proactive measure to ensure no future
months is "a very typical male thing," said Dr. Lutz.
spread of disease.
Calcott Imerman underwent the standard surgery to
"Men who are young think nothing can happen to
remove his testicle — a relatively painless procedure. His
type of cancer did not respond to radiation so he needed them, but what they're missing is the one cancer that
targets them," said Beltzman.
chemotherapy.
Vikki Rakowski, vice president for cancer control at
"Really my body got so slammed," Calcott Imerman
the American Cancer Society Great Lakes Division,
remembers.
speaks about adolescents at risk. "I think it's a situation
He wore a chai around his neck during the nearly four
where
you have young males who are very embarrassed
months of daily eight-hour treatments. "I just liked that
to even acknowledge they have testicles."
something was around my neck that spelled out life."
"Its better to talk about it with your kids ... and make
Last June, doctors detected an abdominal mass in
them uncomfortable so they'll know how to check it,"
Ca-lots Imerman that they didn't think was cancer, but
Dwoskin said.
were not sure. One option was for him to receive close
Fertility issues may be of concern. Radiation treat-
follow-up to monitor his disease (testicular cancer has
ments do not usually lead to long-term problems.
some of the most reliable blood markers to indicate dis-
Chemotherapy may, but it's unlikely. Dwoskin,
ease progress). Or, he could have surgery to remove the
Beltzman and Calcott Imerman all say they feel great.
mass and his abdominal lymph nodes to remove a possi-
..Two of the men are married and
ble cancer tumor and
expecting children.
prevent future spread of
"In terms of libido and sex drive, I
disease. He opted for
feel like it's been exactly the same,"
surgery.
says Calcott Imerman.
"I'm not playing
Some well-known celebrities have
Russian roulette with
The best way to find testicular cancer early is to do
beaten
testicular cancer, including
my life," Calcott
monthly self-exams after a warm shower. Check
comedian Tom Green and ice skater
Imerman explained.
for:
Scott Hamilton. This summer, Lance
Risk factors for testic-
• A lump in either testicle
Armstrong
— who was diagnosed in
ular cancer include age
• Any enlargement of the testicle
1996
with
the
worst stage of testicu-
(15-35), race (whites are
• A feeling of heaviness or dralging in the scrotum
lar
cancer
—
won
his fourth Tour de
much more at risk than
• A dull ache in the lower abdomen or groin
France
cycling
race.
Armstrong
African Americans), fail-
• A sudden collection of fluid in the scrotum
remains
disease
free
and has fathered
ure of the testicles to
• Pain or discomfort in a testicle or in-the scrotum
three
children.
descend properly into
• Enlargement or tenderness of the breasts.
One is considered cured of disease
the scrotum before
These symptoms do not necessarily mean can-
if
the patient remains disease-free for
school age, having previ-
cer. They may be signs of other things, and should
five
years. However, the chances are
ously had the cancer,
be checked by a doctor.
highly unlikely it will recur after
and family history.
being disease-free for three years. ❑
Infertile men also have
Test
YAD Will Start New Year
Sept. 5 With New Officers
Josh Opperer passes the YAD gavel to Scott
Kaufman.
The Young Adult Division of the
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan
Detroit is beginning its 2003 pro-
gramming year with a special event
Thursday, Sept. 5.
From 7:30 to 11 p.m., Jewish
young adults age 21-37 are invited
to the Birmingham Community
House for an evening of classical
music by the Cassini Ensemble and
appetizers and desserts catered by
B'Tayavon.
There will be a cash bar, and
dietary laws will be observed.
The cost is $20 in advance or $25
at the door. This will be a non-
solicitation event. The chairs for the
kick-off are Cindy Friedman and
Dianna Rashty. -
Forinformation or to RSVP, call
Jonathan Goldstein, (248) 203-
1471 or goldstein@jfind.org .
At YAD's annual meeting in June,
Scott Kaufman was installed as
president and Amy Schlussel was
installed as president-elect. Other
officers are: Lorne B. Gold, David
Kreis, Michele E. Saulson, Dawn
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'
Featuring
Lunch: Tuesday thru Saturday llam-2pm
LOUNGE & GRILL
248. 6 6 9 .22 6 3
(Formerl y Nifty Normans)
Dinner: Tuesday thru Thursday 5pm-10pm • Friday thru Saturday 5pm- llpm
Sunday 4pm-9pm
Liv
D ancing
Until 2 am In Our Lower Level
1403 S. Commerce Road in Walled Lake • Just North of Pontiac Trail
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8/23
2002