Ask the average American about Great Britain, and you may get a myriad of responses:

“They’re 0-2 against us in war.” (The American Revolution, The War Of 1812)

“They gave us The Beatles, The Stones. David Beckham  and London Fog Apparel”

“They have a powerless Royal Family that drains their national coiffers.”

“Why do they drive on the wrong side of the road?”

Despite these flaws, the folks in England have fervently fought the war against testicular cancer.  While the rest of the United Kingdom takes bets on when Prince Charles will succeed his Mom Queen Elizabeth on the throne, some medical folks have made a breakthrough against TC.

A  recent study indicates that by studying human testicular tissue grafted into mice, scientists they have been able to follow the development of the cells which can cause the cancer.

In the Journal Human Reproduction, experts claim the tests could lead to even earlier detection of TC in ages 15-40.

I for one was a little surprised to see these tests conducted in the UK.  Why?  I’m glad you asked.  We here at the Sean Kimerling Testicular Cancer Foundation have tried to pound home that TC is the most common cancer in young men.  This year, more than 8,500 guys in the United States guys will be diagnosed with the disease.  The number of men treated in America has increased better than 25 percent since Sean died in 2003.

Testicular cancer is also the most common form of cancer in young men in Great Britain-2,000 cases will be treated this year.  Far less than in the States-but British cases have increased 80 PERCENT IN THE LAST 20 YEARS.

English scientists haven’t needed an invitation to get cracking on testicular cancer.  Ten years ago they located the gene that increases the chances of TC.

A well deserved tip of the cap to our British friends.  This study should remind young guys and those who loved them-be diligent boys- check yourself and be open and honest with your doctor. If it takes a laboratory mouse to get you off your duff and potentially save a life,  you might take a different view of a mouse.  Who knew an animal so despised and feared (and fearful-you wonder if mice actually have any cojones) could prove vital against testicular cancer?  Tom & Jerry reruns will never be the same!

Bobby Taute joins seankimerling.org as a Contributing Blogger. Bobby spent 23 years at WPIX TV in New York, earning 4 Emmy Award nominations as a Sports Producer. In 2008 he created the station's sports blog, "Bobby  vs. The World"-now known as "The Huddle." Like Sean a lifelong Mets fan, Bobby's media savvy and enthusiasm have proven invaluable to the success of the Sean Kimerling Testicular Cancer Foundation.

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