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Testicular cancer in men is among a range of these diseases, although it is not as widespread as, for example, prostate cancer. It most commonly affects men aged 15 – 35 years. For this type of disease it holds that it is curable if detected in an early stage and metastases are not formed in the body. Therefore men should monitor themselves, and once a month check their scrotum and testicles by touch. If they discover any abnormality, such as swelling, an irregular shape, tenderness to the touch, they should not hesitate and should visit a doctor. The most common symptoms of testicular cancer include:
- Swelling, or a lump on one or both testicles
- A feeling of heaviness in the scrotum
- Pain in the lower abdomen, groin, or lower back
This type of cancer is considered one of the most treatable. The key is that it is recognized in time, and as long as it has not spread to other organs in the body, the chance of cure is more than 90%. Treatment is generally well known and includes removal of the tumor, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
Advanced stage of cancer
However, whoever ignores the initial symptoms and goes to the doctor with an already developed disease has a significantly reduced chance of cure. Cancer from the original tumor begins to form metastases in the body, and these attack other organs. Eventually it can grow to the point that it can no longer be stopped. In a later stage the patient may experience these symptoms:
- Back and abdominal pain without an obvious cause
- Sweating without any other illness, fatigue, fever, malaise
- Shortness of breath, cough, chest pain, headache
It is not advisable to leave changes in the testicles unnoticed and let the whole condition reach this stage. Also consider whether any men in your family have suffered from this disease. Then your own risk of being affected by this illness increases.
Regular preventive check-ups and self-examination
Each of us should go for preventive check-ups every 2 years. It is not a bad idea to tell the doctor if you feel any changes in your testicles. Self-examination also helps to recognize them. It is best done after a bath when the muscles are relaxed. So don’t forget.
