Dear Ann Landers: One of my son’s friends has been diagnosed with testicular cancer. I was stunned because he is so young — in his early 20s. I decided to research the subject on the Internet and discovered that testicular cancer is the most common cancer among males aged 15-35. Yet it is curable if found and treated early.
I asked my male relatives and friends if they ever performed a testicular self-exam to check for lumps or swelling. Imagine my astonishment when not one of these guys had ever heard of it.
Ann, you are a wonderful resource for your readers. Please spread the word that men should be doing a monthly self-exam. Women can help by insisting that their husbands and sons take care of themselves. Maybe if men can get past their embarrassment about this sensitive subject, they will go to a doctor if they discover symptoms. It could save a life.
— Mary in Indiana
Dear Mary: Thank you for the opportunity to inform my readers about this life-threatening illness. I’m sure many people read the stories about Lance Armstrong, the Tour de France champion cyclist, and Scott Hamilton, the Olympic figure skater, who both were treated for testicular cancer and recovered. I urge all my male readers to do a testicular self-exam every month. If you notice any changes, swelling or lumps, notify your doctor immediately.
Dear Ann Landers: I would like to add something to the letter from “Single and Safe in Virginia,” who offered safety tips for women who live alone. Most of those suggestions, such as locking your doors and being aware of your surroundings, are a matter of common sense. If they really want to be safe and secure, they should take a course in self-defense.
Many women are raped by men they know. Looking through the peephole to identify who is knocking on your door will not help in situations like that. Women need to wake up and realize they have to learn to protect themselves physically. A self-defense course will provide the confidence to fight back. It doesn’t take long to learn a few basic moves that can save a woman from being raped or beaten, and provide enough time to run away or call the police. Women should take their safety into their own hands and not depend on someone else to do it for them.
— Safer Now in Pennsylvania
Dear Pennsylvania: Many self-defense courses are taught at community centers, park districts and the YMCA. They are well worth looking into. Thanks for a helpful suggestion.
Dear Ann Landers: I have been living with “Gloria” for six months. She is a wonderful person, loving, caring and nurturing. The problem is her laugh.
Gloria has a loud, obnoxious, high-pitched laugh that drives me up the wall. When we went to a restaurant last night, her laughter was so annoying that the couple at the next table got up and left. The woman said, “You should do something about that laugh.” Gloria was upset and said, “Such nerve. I’ve never been so insulted.”
Should I tell Gloria that her laugh is annoying, or just ignore it because she’s such a great companion?
— Need Earplugs in Los Angeles
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Dear L.A.: Tell Gloria (lovingly) that her laugh can be a bit off-putting and she might want to tone it down a notch or two. While she may not be happy to hear the criticism, the truth is, annoying personal habits can be major social handicaps. If Gloria can get this under control, she will benefit enormously.
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That first kiss, that first embrace. . . . Remember all those things that brought you and your loved one together? “How We Met,” a collection of sentimental love stories, will make a terrific gift for that special someone. For a copy, please send a self-addressed, long, business-size envelope and a check or money order for $5.50 (this includes postage and handling) to: How We Met, c/o Ann Landers, P.O. Box 11562, Chicago, IL 60611-0562 (in Canada, $6.50). To find out more about Ann Landers and read her past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.