...prevention techniques BSE and TSE. The purpose this study was to survey certified athletic trainers (ATC's) on the topic of testicular and breast cancer, the self-examination techniques, and the conveyance of this information to athletes. Three hundred ATC's working in the intercollegiate setting were mailed a survey that was developed to acquire their knowledge regarding breast and testicular cancer and self-examination practices. The results found that ATC's are knowledgeable about the age at which females are most susceptible to breast cancer, however, they are less knowledgeable about the age at which males are most susceptible to testicular cancer. The ATC's, as a group, were generally familiar with the risk factors, prevention, and self-examination techniques of breast cancer, but, less familiar with those of testicular cancer. The ATC's did not teach their female athletes about breast cancer; about reproductive system cancer; or about breast self-examination techniques. A lack of educating male athletes about testicular self-examination techniques and cancer education was also found. The conclusions of this study are that ATC's need to become more involved in breast and testicular cancer education and both primary and secondary prevention.

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Breast cancer is most common in females over the age of 40, yet it is now being found in younger women with increased frequency (American Cancer Society [ACS], 2006). A women's risk of breast cancer is 1 in 7. There are 214,640 new cases of breast cancer expected in 2006. Females will account for 212,920 of these new cases and males will account for 1,720 of the new cases (ACS). The American Cancer Society states that breast cancer will kill 40,970 women and 460 men in 2006. Breast self-examination (BSE) is vital in the early screening and detection process for breast cancer. Testicular cancer is most common in males between the ages of 15 and 34. In 2006, the American Cancer Society estimated that testicular cancer would be diagnosed in 8,250 new cases, and 370 men would die. Testicular self-examination (TSE) is vital in the early screening and detection process for testicular cancer. With early detection, testicular cancer is one of the most curable types of cancer (ACS).

Sensiba and Stewart (1995) found that reducing the fears of performing the breast self-examination technique and developing confidence in their BSE skills were important in continuing the practice of BSE. An educational intervention program has been found to increase the compliance of breast self-examination (Gardiner, Mullen, Rosenman, Zhu, & Swanson, 1995). Testicular cancer is most common in males between the ages of 15 and 34 (American Red Cross, 2006). Testicular cancer deaths can be decreased by early detection through testicular self-examination techniques (TSE; Cavanaugh, 1985; Dieckmann, Becker, & Bauer, 1987; Einhorn, 1986; Goldenring, 1985; Klein, Berry, & Felice, 1990; Marty & McDermott, 1986; Prout & Griffin, 1984). Yet, only between 2-7% of males in the "at risk" age group actually practice TSE (Vaz, Best, & Davis, 1988; Vaz, Best, Davis, & Kaiser, 1989). Walker (1993) found that an educational program on testicular cancer and the self-examination technique increases the practice of TSE by 67%. The Walker study also found that modeling and guided practice improved males comfort levels with the practice and continued compliance with the TSE. Walker also found that the major barrier to the practice of TSE was that young men were not knowledgeable about testicular cancer and as a result of their lack of knowledge, 82.8% were not practicing TSE. In a study (Steadman & Quine, 2004) of undergraduate males, 18-35 years of age, found that a TSE educational intervention increases the performance of TSE.

A previous study by Dewald and Zientek (1996), found that certified athletic trainers were unable to recall breast/testicular cancer risk factors, prevention measures, or BSE/TSE techniques when asked to list the information on open-ended questions. Zientek and Dewald (1998) also investigated possible...

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