Breast and Testicular Cancer
Simulated Self-Exams

Introduction

In another activity in this module, Cancer Detectives you learned about methods of detecting cancer. The tests that were simulated in that activity are usually done by physicians or researchers. In the case of breast cancer and testicular cancer, however, it is important that individuals learn how to conduct a self-examination.

Breast Cancer

The American Cancer Society recommends that females conduct a monthly breast self-examination. The ACS procedure for breast self-examination may be found here: Breast Cancer: Early Detection.

Breast cancer is the second most common form of cancer in females (skin cancer is first) and the leading cause of cancer death among women in the United States. Five-year survival rates for women with breast cancer are inversely related to the stage of cancer at the time of detection. If the cancer is detected before it spreads to surrounding tissue, the survival rate is almost 97%. Once the cancer spreads to surrounding tissue, the rate drops to 76% and if the cancer spreads to other organs by the time it is detected, the survival rate is only about 20%.

Testicular Cancer

The story of Lance Armstrong and his recovery from testicular cancer has placed the spotlight on this form of cancer. Although not nearly as wide-spread as breast cancer, testicular cancer has increased by nearly 45% since 1973. The American Cancer Society estimated that about 7,200 new cases would be reported in 2001. Cancer of the testes has a much higher survival rate, more than 95% for cancer that has not metastasized and 75% after it has spread beyond local lymph nodes. Nevertheless, it is one form of cancer that individuals can detect by self-exam. Information about testicular self-examination can be found at this American Cancer Society site: Testicular Cancer: Detection and Symptoms.

In this simulation, your objective is to detect an object that simulates a cancer tumor in a breast or testis.

Procedure

1. Obtain a balloon filled with flour and containing an object which simulates a lump in a female breast. Record the letter of this balloon.
2. Also obtain a second balloon filled with flour, also containing an object simulating a lump in a male testis, but containing in addition a small ball to simulate the testis itself.
3. Place the model of the breast on a tabletop. Attempt to detect the lump in the model by pressing your fingers around the balloon.
4. Find which is more effective, your fingertips or the “pads” of your fingers.
5. Is there a pattern that you can follow that allows you to detect the hidden object more efficiently?
6. Make a full-size sketch of your model, indicating the location, the size, and the shape of the simulated lump.
7. Repeat the procedure with the testis model.
8. If time permits, obtain at least one other set of models (and preferably two) from a neighboring group and repeat the procedure.