Brad Coleman

Brad Coleman was a healthy and active 17 year-old boy who enjoyed fishing, hunting and riding ATVs in his native western Tennessee. In October 2008 he began complaining of severe headaches that were initially attributed to a family history of migraines. By the end of December, Brad’s headaches grew more severe and he was taken to the emergency room in nearby Camden, TN. There it was discovered that he had blood in his stool and his blood counts were very low. Brad was immediately rushed to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital in Nashville. A mass was discovered in his lower left abdomen and tests revealed that Brad had a bleeding ulcer. He was taken into surgery to repair the ulcer and control the bleeding. After this operation more tests were done to investigate the mass. Numerous scans and tests later, it was discovered that Brad had lesions in his liver, lungs and two in his brain that had not been there in the original scan in October.

Brad was diagnosed with testicular germ cell cancer on January 1, 2009. The cancer had metastasized to his lymph nodes, liver, lungs, and brain. John Coleman, Brad’s father, described his reaction when first hearing the diagnosis. “We had no idea. Total shock. Brad had never mentioned anything was wrong.”

Brad began the fight of his life with the love and support of his family and friends. He endured several rounds of chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant. Harvesting stems cells from Brad’s body required travelling back and forth from Brad’s home in Holladay, TN to Vanderbilt in Nashville every day for a month.  He had the transplant on January 18, 2010 and was in the hospital for six weeks. After some initial improvement, his condition began to worsen. Brad underwent surgery to remove the mass in his lower abdomen and participated in a clinical trial at MD Anderson Cancer Center, only to lose his battle against the disease on June 20, 2010.

The Coleman Family (From L. to R.) Brad's father John, Brad, Brad's mother Sheila, and Brad's brothers Brian and Bobby

The devastating loss of his youngest son to testicular cancer spurred John and his family into action. They created the Brad Coleman Cancer Foundation with a mission to bring greater awareness to the disease and to share the facts about early detection that could save lives. John found that the biggest obstacle to fighting testicular cancer is silence. “No one talked about it. Schools didn’t have anything about it,” Coleman said.

To raise awareness about testicular cancer, the Foundation began testicular cancer awareness programs in 20 school systems throughout western Tennessee. The Brad Coleman Cancer Foundation offers testicular cancer awareness DVDs and other educational tools free of charge to school systems across the country to raise awareness to those most a risk. “Early detection is the key. If just one person is helped then all our efforts will be well worth it,” said Coleman.

At first, my doctor misdiagnosed it as an infection. But after a couple weeks of minimal improvement I sought a second opinion. Following a physical exam, blood tests and an ultrasound, my new doctor confirmed that I had testicular cancer. Surgery—just two days later—revealed that the cancer had spread outside the testicle. Testicular cancer has a fairly predictable path of travel when it metastasizes: lymph nodes, then the pelvis, then the abdomen, next behind the kidneys, then the lungs and finally the brain. Mine had already spread to my lymph nodes, pelvis and lower abdomen.

Five months of intense chemotherapy followed. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the end of my journey.

One year after chemotherapy a routine CT scan revealed four tumors along my spine. A four hour surgery was required, during which my internal organs were literally pulled out of my abdomen—leaving me temporarily like a turkey carcass—in order for the surgeon to remove the four tumors.

It was a long couple of years. And I’m grateful to have survived.

Testicular cancer is the number one cancer in guys ages 15 – 35 in our country—impacting about 8,500 young men every year. It’s nearly 100% curable if you detect it early.

Here are two things every guy should do:

1. Have a physical regularly. That means every one or two years. Talking about doing it doesn’t count. Schedule an appointment.

2. Know your “boys.” Testicular cancer usually doesn’t cause a noticeable pain. However, it often is initially detected by a change in your testicle. So, every month, in the shower, check yourself. Put one ball in the palm of each hand. Is one bigger? Do you feel a lump? Hardness? Heaviness? If you notice anything, go to a doc. And, by the way, Lance Armstrong waited until his testicle was the size of an orange before he saw a doctor. By that point, his cancer had spread to his lungs and brain. Waiting has a price.

Share this information with every guy in your life, won’t you? You never know whose life you might be saving.

For more information on testicular cancer, visit the Prevent Cancer Foundation,  Testicular Cancer Resource Center or Single Jingles.

Editor’s Note: Guest blogger Jonny Imerman is founder of Imerman Angels 1-on-1 Cancer Support which provides free, individual support to anyone touched by cancer (both cancer fighters and caregivers). www.imermanangels.org

It has been two and a half years since that day I sat in the doctor’s office and received the devastating news, and I can honestly say I am doing better than ever. When I returned to the water I had a new perspective on the sport and it helped raise my game to a whole new level.  A little over a year after my diagnosis, I broke my first American and World Records and became a World Champion. I recently moved training locations out to California. I am now working with the pro group at the University of Southern California under coach Dave Salo. I will competing at the World Championships in July in Shanghai. All of this is in preparation for a return to the Olympic Games next summer in London.

Since my diagnosis I have gotten involved in the fight against cancer through the Lance Armstrong Foundation.  I am a LIVESTRONG Envoy and a cancer awareness advocate within the swimming world.  Last year I hosted the inaugural Swim For Your Life Challenge if Atlanta, GA.  The event is an open water swimming race around Lake Lanier where participants can choose between a 1K and 5K swim.  The strength I have found working within the cancer community has been incredible.  I use it every day in my preparation for the next Olympic Games.

Editor’s Note: Guest blogger Eric Shanteau is an Olympic swimmer and testicular cancer survivor. At the 2009 World Championships in Rome, he is the only American to break 59 seconds in the 100 meter and 2 minutes 8 seconds in the 200 meter. Eric also swam the breaststroke leg of the 4 x 100 medley relay that not only won the gold medal but also shattered the World Record.

I refuse to accept the notion that there is nothing that we men can do to improve our chances of living very long and rich lives. It’s time to take ownership of our own health. We need to be figuring out how to include exercise and healthy foods.   And all tobacco use has to go.  Men need to have a primary care clinician and to go for check-ups.  At least one check-up by age 40, every 3 years from 40 to 50 and an annual check-up after age 50 can go a long way to identifying and modifying health risks.  One of the best ways to stay healthy is to be screened for colon cancer by age 50, or even younger if we have risk factors.  A colonoscopy every 10 years or a stool blood test every year just aren’t that hard to do.

You want to surprise and delight the women in your life?  Call your primary clinician and let them know you want to be screened for cancer.  That’s the manly thing to do.

Editor’s Note: The Prevent Cancer Foundation’s June guest blogger Richard Wender, M.D. is a Professor and Chair of Family Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA and a member of the Foundation’s Medical Advisory Board.

Since Eric’s cancer was caught early due to his screening, perhaps even within the first weeks of appearing and had not spread, his doctors cleared him to compete in the trials. He persevered, winning a spot on the U.S. Olympic team in the 200-meter breaststroke. Receiving the chance of a lifetime, Eric competed alongside his teammates in Beijing, while inspiring them and millions of others around the world with his talent and courage. Eric did so knowing that when he returned home, he would undergo surgery to treat his cancer.

While many young men choose not to talk publicly about their cancer diagnosis, Eric has been a vocal advocate about prevention, sharing his experience with the media and partnering with groups like the Prevent Cancer Foundation.

“I am very proud to call myself a testicular cancer survivor and take on a role as a cancer awareness advocate. The biggest weapon we have in combating this disease is awareness. Early detection is essential in winning the fight against cancer,” said Eric Shanteau.

By doing so, Eric can reach and teach more men that early detection is critical in fighting and preventing cancer. Thanks to his commitment to the
Foundation, Eric is featured in our testicular cancer public service announcement. Eric is now back in the pool continuing his training— as well as continuing his work to raise awareness. Testicular cancer is the most common form of cancer for 15 to 34 year-old men. It is also one of the most curable cancers, if discovered early. There are steps that men can take to reduce their risk, including self- exams, knowing their family history and talking with their health care providers. For more information visit www.preventcancer.org including risk factors, signs and symptoms of testicular cancer.

Bryan was touched by cancer at an early age. In March 2002, his grandfather, Charles Finegan, passed away from colon cancer. The lost of his beloved grandfather was difficult for Bryan, and he channeled those emotions into the driving force in his life, creating the first annual Bowling for Colon Cancer Awareness fundraiser benefiting the Prevent Cancer Foundation. Bryan, a senior at Sachem East High School in New York, organized the event to not only to raise money for colon cancer education, but also to spread the message of colorectal cancer awareness and its preventable nature throughout his community. Bryan felt strongly about this awareness and prevention message so his friends and family would not have to suffer the loss of a loved one unnecessarily.

Bowling for Colon Cancer Awareness was held on June 6th 2009 at the newly renovated Bowl Long Island on West Avenue in Patchogue New York. The event sold slots and raffle tickets to bowlers and spectators, and provided patrons with soft drinks, subs, prizes and music. Donated raffle prizes included a 32″ flat screen TV, NIKONTM digital camera and a Bowl Long Island gift basket.

The funds raised were donated to the Foundation to help support the Foundation’s National Colorectal Awareness campaign, which reaches out to communities across the nation and works with health care professionals at all levels to spread the word that colorectal cancer is “preventable, treatable and beatable!”

“Over 90 percent of colorectal cancer cases can be cured if detected and treated early,” explains Jan Bresch Mahrer, the Foundation’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “Because of supporters like Bryan, the Foundation is able to educate the public on how they can reduce their colorectal cancer risk, and how following screening guidelines and early detection the mortality rate can significantly decrease their risks.”

Nearly 80 bowlers participated in this first-time event. Raffle ticket sales and the two 50/50 games raised over $4,000 for colon cancer prevention and awareness in memory of Charles Finegan.

“We wanted a fun, educational Web site where women can share and connect over their craziest moments while learning about screening guidelines and how easy it is togetscreened,since screeningstartingatage18can help save their lives,” explains Carolyn Aldigé, president and founder of the Prevent Cancer Foundation. “By providing personalized screening guidelines in a fun way, the Foundation is raising awareness about cervical cancer screenings during National Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month.”

This new educational tool complements the Foundation’s educational information on eight preventable cancers, which in addition to cervical cancer include breast, lung, colorectal, oral, prostate, skin and testicular cancers. Cervical cancer once was one of the most common causes of cancer death in women in the United States. Today, cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers. Lives are saved because more women are routinely screened with a Pap test, also called a Pap smear.

Confess! is generating a lot of buzz on Facebook and Twitter, with new fans and followers joining every day. Join us in our quest for 6,000 women to pledge to get screened. To receive your personal screening guidelines, pledge to get screened for cervical cancer, share the site with your friends or post your most embarrassing moments, visit http://confess.preventcancer.org.