The Associação de Assistência às Pessoas com Cancer, or Association of Personal Assistance For Cancer, in Brazil has a mascot to warn people of the threats posed by testicular cancer: "Senhor Testiculo", also known as "Mr. Balls". Mr. Balls showed up at a recent event featuring AAPEC, who described the mascot as "a friendly snowman in the shape of a testicle".
The smiling bucktoothed cancer mascot greeted children at the event, many of whom reportedly took pictures with him.
Hundreds of men die from testicular cancer every year, so the effort behind Mr. Balls is no laughing matter. The American Cancer Society recently said that occurrences of testicular cancer are indeed increasing domestically and elsewhere.
A recent Philadelphia Inquirer story cited a noted increase of the cancer among Hispanic men, which may help explain why Mr. Balls has been touted by AAPEC in Brazil. The article said the American Cancer Society refers to testicular cancer as a young-man's-cancer, as men 20-34 are very susceptible to the disease.
Men are able to self-check for signs of trouble which can include size differentials and lumps on the organ. While the eerily creepy mascot is becoming increasingly popular in Brazil, there is no word as to whether Smokey the Bear or Crime Dog McGruff will be meeting a new cousin in the northern hemisphere anytime soon.
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