by Walid Gellad
Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in men between the ages of 20 and 34 years old, and about 350 men will die from it this year. Now before everyone goes running to the urologist, take heart that it is one of the few highly curable cancers, and a rare condition in the general population, accounting for about 1 percent of all cancers in men. Nonetheless, it is a health condition which young men absolutely must be aware of. The key to curing this cancer is early detection. The following is from an excellent web site from the University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center, with information on the disease, including this "how to" on the Testicular Self-Examination, which is the primary method for early detection of the disease:
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
The first sign of testicular cancer is usually a slight enlargement of one of the testes, and a change in its consistency. Pain may be absent, but often there is a dull ache in the lower abdomen and groin, together with a sensation of dragging and heaviness.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Your best hope for early detection of testicular cancer is a simple three-minute monthly examination. The best time is after a warm bath or shower, when the scrotal skin is most relaxed.
Roll each testicle gently between the thumb and fingers of both hands. If you find any hard lumps or nodules, you should see your doctor promptly.
Check out http://oncolink.upenn.edu/disease/testicular/index.html
This online resource has information on support groups, treatment options, and links upon links about the disease. Also on this site you'll find personal stories by those who have fought the disease, including such famous folk as John Kruk, Lance Armstrong, and Scott Hamilton.
I know it's tough to go see the doctor sometimes, especially for men. If you find something in your self-examination, please don't put it off. Take control of your health. You might feel embarrassed about telling the doctor what's going on, and that's normal, but be assured that the doctor has probably done this examination to hundreds of other men before you, and you are not alone. Now, many lumps, bumps, and pains can occasionally pop up in that area of the body and be completely harmless, and so it is up to the professional to determine what the situation might be. So go see the doctor if you need to.
Be aware of your body, and make it happy. |
