Pretty much all of us have been touched by cancer in some way. Whether you've been through an experience like me, or you just know someone who has, the best way to prevent from getting in trouble is to do a self-check once a month.

CBS 11 News has now partnered with the Anchorage School District to make sure all eighth graders will see both testicular and breast cancer education videos in their mandatory health classes. We are also encouraging those kids, just like we're starting to encourage the general public, to do a monthly self-check. It's a program we're calling Cancer Check 11.

Breast cancer is women's most common cancer form and testicular cancer is the number one young man's cancer killer. So on the 11th of every month, starting May 11, 2007, CBS 11 News' cancer check program encourages all women and men to partner with a friend or relative to be your buddy. On the 11th of each month, encourage your buddy to make sure you both have completed your monthly breast or testicular self-exams.

Here are some resources that will explain the proper way to conduct self-exams.
Be warned: these instructions contain graphic medical information.

Testicular Cancer

Breast Cancer

Lance Armstrong wrote a Newsweek magazine article saying: We can prevent about one third of cancer deaths just by widely distributing information about prevention and early detection.

That's why CBS 11 News is urging all men and women, from today on, to find a buddy and do a self cancer check on the 11th of every

month.

CBS 11 News will, on the 11th of every month, not only remind you and your buddy to do a cancer check, but introduce you to Alaskan cancer survivors and connect you to the early warning signs to look out for in all different cancer forms.

To contact Matthew, call 907-273-3186.