04/06/2026
April is Testicular Cancer Awareness month. Firemen, like Dr. Vaughan are twice as likely to get it and this recent diagnosis was a recurrence of it for him. Gentlemen, please be diligent if you notice any lumps, swelling, pain, or other changes in your testicles and get to a urologist ASAP.
Cancer is the most dangerous threat to firefighter health and safety today, and the risk for testicular cancer is 2.02% higher than the rest of the population (100% or twice the risk). Dustin (retired fireman) was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2018 and then in 2025 he was diagnosed with a recurrence which had a 0.25% chance of happening. It's easy to think it won't happen to you or your loved ones, but the reality is a stark one for firefighters.