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Testicular cancer

What is Testicular Cancer

THE PROBLEM

Testicular cancer, the most common cancer in younger men aged between 15 and 45, and the rate is increasing. There are nearly 2,000 cases per year, but it is relatively rare compared to cancers such as lung or breast cancer. The most common way this cancer is identified is by finding a lump in the testicle. Therefore, men falling into this age group should be encouraged to examine their testicles for lumps on a regular basis. Recent surveys suggest that many men are unaware of testicular cancer or prefer to ignore it, and that few men check their testicles.

In over 25% of cases, the cancer has already spread by the time of diagnosis. Despite this, today more than 95% of patients are cured with chemotherapy. If caught at an early stage, the probability of a successful cure is more than 98% with the treatment being much simpler and may only require surgery to the diseased testicle.

WHAT ARE THE TESTICLES AND WHAT DO THEY DO »

POSSIBLE RISK FACTORS

Unlike many cancers, there are few known strong risk factors for testicular cancer, and we cannot currently predict who is likely to get the disease (unlike the link between lung cancer and smoking). While most of these cancers occur in unsuspecting individuals, some risk factors can be traced in a minority of cases. These include:

• Men born with an undescended testicle or where the testicle fails to descend into the scrotum. Research has shown the risk of testicular cancer increases dramatically if this is not corrected by the age of 11
• A brother/father with testicular cancer
• A previous history of testicular cancer
• A sedentary life style increases, the risk but regular exercise reduces risk
• Mumps (a rare complication called mumps orchitis) may have an increased risk
• Repeated trauma (rather than inevitable knocks) increases risk
• A recent study has shown a correlation between smoking marijuana and an increased risk of testicular cancer

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR

Most testicular cancer cases are diagnosed because of changes to the testis such as:

Occasionally, patients may be diagnosed because they become generally unwell (e.g. with night sweats, loss of appetite and weight loss or persistent backache, aching in the lower abdomen, back or groin) due to tumour spread outside the testicle, or develop tenderness in the breast.

Some patients will experience no symptoms at all, especially in the early stages.

From puberty onwards, it is important that all men are aware of what is normal for themselves (there are slight differences in everybody). One testicle may hang lower than the other and be different in size.

The critical issue is looking for changes. These changes can be caused by a number of other conditions and are not always cancerous. In fact, as most lumps are benign, most patients with testicular discomfort don't have cancer. But it is important to visit your doctor if symptoms do persist for more than a week.

If you do notice any changes, particularly hardening or heaviness, you should not allow your natural embarrassment to delay discussing this with your doctor as soon as possible.

HOW TO CHECK YOURSELF

Self - examination sheet