Yesterday I came across a post from a good friend which brought to light the story of how the Public Health Department of the city of Toronto, Canada, was given the green light to advertise on Facebook it's current campaign regarding the importance of early detection of Testicular Cancer, a fairly curable form of cancer, but also a cancer in which that particular city has seen a great rise in cases (no pun intended). However, Facebook decided to shelf Toronto's campaign mainly due to the fact that it covered in graphic detail the self-examination process for this particular type of cancer - it was allegedly deemed too graphic. Too graphic? With all the porno crap that arrives in many of our Notifications, Requests sections and Inboxes, and Facebook has the nerve to irrationally and unjustifiably decide that a mere procedure that can and does save human lives is too graphic? Whatta banquet of purely unadulterated bullshit. Or more appropriately, if that isn't a hard, square kick in the balls, I dont know what the hell is.
With being a Testicular Cancer Surivor, I've already spoken up more than once on this disease in this very blog; in fact, in one of my pieces this past month I went in great written detail how men can give themselves the self-examination for Testicular Cancer. Yes, perhaps the visuals on this brief process can be considered graphic, but to whom, really? To the male population out there who would be extremely thankful, as well as feel totally blessed by the Universe itself, to know that early detection can aid in the treatment process as well as save their very lives? Or to the stuffed shirts in Palo Alto, California who sit in their comfortable leather chairs, sipping that nasty Gulf-Oil-Spill-like tasting coffee made by Starbucks, all the while patting themselves on the backs and exclaimiing "Well, we're rich, we're Masters of the Universe and we dont have to play by the rules like other people do?" I got news for you boys, you majorly fucked up by canceling the city of Toronto's campaign against Testicular Cancer and as infuriated as I am this very moment - and as infuriated as I always be regarding what you did - I still hope that you don't wake up some morning and say to your sorry-ass selves "Uhm, whoah, why is that swelled up down there...??" When the heads of Facebook changed their minds about allowing Toronto's Public Health Department to present their life-saving efforts on Facebook, they might as well as have been screaming to every member of the male population on Facebook "Hey! Guess what? We decided to actually block and remove something that could save your very lifes because we thought it was dirty and shameful, don't you just wanna give us a giant round of applause???" from on top of Mount Everest itself.
Sure, I could continue to hoot-n-holler about how wrong the heads of Facebook were for doing what they did, but bitching them out and attempting to delve into mountain after mountain of their red tape isn't going to solve anything. Yes, taking on Facebook this very moment would be the morally and ethically correct thing to do but guess what? The only thing that would ever accomplish is standing up for a principle, which is fine-n-dandy with me; but, when it comes to human lives? Sorry, that behavior is unacceptable, and what Facebook did is deplorable and inexcusable. All human life is precious, regardless of gender, regardless of disease, but apparently the heads of Facebbook havent realized that yet. They need to simply grow-up. But, since they don't posess the common sense to even grasp that concept, let them wallow in their own ignorance.
I want my readers to please listen to me very carefully right now. I've already written about Testicular Cancer a few times now and I don't want to sound like a broken record on any of the points that I have previously stated regarding this terrible disease; but, please feel free to read or re-read the previous pieces I have done on this subject, or if you like, contact me directly. But, whatever you do, please, I implore of you, if you are male, regardless of age, please do not hesitate to perform a self-examination on yourself. If you feel or sense that anything is not quite right, then do something that just may very well save your life - call your primary care physician and/or urologist and demand that he/she examines you for Testicular Cancer.
Even with being one single person, I cant tell any of the guys out there what to do, I've already tried to get through to people regarding this disease months ago and whether or not they took my suggestions, I don't know. But if for some reason, there were some of you who chose to ignore my recommendations then I'd like to say this to you, especially to you Canadian males out there - don't you think it's pretty important to do this, especially when a major city like Toronto, Canada is saying to you "Hey, this is a problem, we need to address this?" When you really think about it, usually its we, the people, who have to petition the leaders of the major cities to get off their asses and help out when health concerns arise; but, in this example, it's definitely the other way around - Toronto is telling you that it cares about you, it wants to make a positive differrence in your lives; and, if all else fails, at least provide you with a tool - the self-examination procedure - that may indeed save your life in the long run. The Public Health Department of Toronto is not screaming wolf you guys, they know how serious Testicular Cancer is and even if you dont wanna ever do a self-examination yourself, at least listen to what they have to say, okay? I guarantee you that you wont regret it, you might even thank them and me someday, though no gratitude is required on my end, I just want you guys to take care of yourselves, that's all.
A special note needs to be made to my fellow Hiv+ male members out there, regardless if you are gay, bi-sexual or straight. All viewpoints aside, listen guys, I wanna tell you something. There is not one of you out there, who like myself, hasnt come up against prejudice and stigma from others because of our disease, whether it's from society, friends, family members or merely those we try to date. Sad as it is for me to write this, to some people - and no, not just overall society, but even in our own goddamn community - we are considered harbingers of a deadly disease and let's not lie to each other, sometimes it's extremely painful for us to have to deal with that kinda bullshit over and over again. But, I'm here to tell you personally that when you deal with something just as life-altering as Hiv/AIDS, such as Testicular Cancer, it compounds all of that stuff emotionally and mentally to an even more intense level, a more heightened sensitivity if you will. As if dealing with the various stigmas of being Hiv+ weren't enough on your platter, having Testicular Cancer, and allowing it to go undetected, untreated, is the very thing that will knock that platter right out of your hands. It's not worth it guys. As Hiv'ers, we have to be extremely careful with our health issues moreso than the average person, we have to be extremely educated in our medical choices - please, try to avoid going through what I did with the cancer, check yourself out and if you dont feel comfortable doing that, then please, go see a urologist. You won't regret taking that one extra action to protect your health, as well as possibly extend your lifetime. You're gonna be so damn glad you did.
It's funny, every day on Facebook, I stand up and promote causes and issues that aren't only important to me because they strike a personal chord within me, but also because I feel it is attempting to make a positive contribution in the lives of others. I know some people may or may not snip at me and say "Well Jesus Christ Spice, why the hell are you sticking up for Toronto, when you're not even a friggin Canadian yourself?" That's easy to answer - because the Public Health Department of Toronto, Canada is 100% correct in their stressing the importance of self-examination and how it definitely makes a major difference in the detection and/or treatment of Testicular Cancer. Guys, they aren't bullshitting you on that and neither am I. I'm the perfect living example of this. Do any of you realize that had I not had that horriffic accident at work, they would've never detected my cancer, that I woulda died by around September or October, 2001? It's true. How long was that cancer growing within me before it was detected? None of us will ever know but I do know this - IF I woulda known how to give myself a self-examination, an earlier detection just might have prevented me from having to go through surgery and being one nut shy of a complete set. Yep, now you know why early detection is crucial and if that doesnt give you enough incentive to examine yourself or be examined, then you might as well just wave your hands in the air and go apply for an advisory council position on Facebook. You get the point guys, please, take care of you, okay? Thank you for reading.
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