In March of 2013, the Testicular Cancer Society participated in the Belfast Strut, the kickoff event of the Zero Campaign, a celebration of Northern Ireland’s remarkable achievements against testicular cancer. In 3 out of 10 years, Northern Ireland had recorded zero deaths per year from testicular cancer.
During the event some valuable lessons to their achievements were learned. Northern Ireland’s success was attributed to 3 main factors:
AWARENESS – Northern Ireland’s vast and aggressive awareness campaigns had brought testicular cancer out into the open much more so than is seen in the U.S.
ACCESS TO CARE – Northern Ireland’s universal health care meant that all of their men had access to care.
QUALITY OF CARE – Testicular cancer patients in Northern Ireland are referred to one location, Belfast City Hospital, where physicians are experts in the treatment of the disease.
Upon returning to the U.S., the Testicular Cancer Society, recognizing that guys are still dying from the curable disease of testicular cancer, began discussions on what could be done in the U.S. to eliminate deaths.
Realizing their capacity constraints, they decided to focus on Ohio, a population approximately 6 times the size of Northern Ireland and situated where all residents are within a few hours drive of world-renowned testicular cancer experts. Success in Ohio could serve as a road map for other states.
In late 2013 and 2014 the Testicular Cancer Society started collecting some disturbing data:
20% of Ohio men age 19-64 were uninsured in 2013
15% of adults in Ohio didn’t see a doctor because of costs in 2013
44% of Ohio men age 18-34 didn’t have or didn’t know if they currently had health insurance
71% of Ohio men age 18-24 didn’t know they were in the age group at highest risk for testicular cancer
73% of Ohio men age 18-34 didn’t know or were not sure how to do a self-testicular exam
72% of guys in Ohio, age 18-34. said no one had spoken to them about testicular cancer
91% of parents in Ohio said they didn’t talk to their son about testicular cancer when he was between the ages 15-35
It was decided that these numbers needed to change and the Testicular Cancer Society began forming Talk About TC, a collective impact initiative to end deaths from testicular cancer in the state of Ohio by year 2020.
