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Testicular cancer

Approximately 1 in 25,000 men per year develop testicular cancer. It is the most common cancer amongst young men between the ages of 20 and 35. The risk of developing this cancer in your lifetime is 1 in 500. The incidence of testicular cancer has risen by a staggering 70% in the last 20 years (the cause of this is unknown) the good news is that if caught early enough, 90% of cases can be treated.

The best way to diagnose testicular cancer is through self-examination. So, what are the symptoms?

Well, symptoms include;

A LUMP ON EITHER SIDE OF THE TESTICLE.
A SUDDEN COLLECTION OF FLUID IN THE SCROTUM.
A DULL ACHE IN THE ABDOMEN OR GROIN.
ANY ENLARGEMENT OF THE TESTICLE.
A FEELING OF HEAVINESS IN THE SCROTUM.

You can have any of these symptoms, and it won’t necessarily be cancer. Non-cancerous masses found around the testicles can often be something harmless like a collection of fluid, or a cyst, but it’s wise to get it checked out. If there is a history of testicular cancer with first degree relatives (i.e brothers and fathers) you are more likely, than those without the genetic connection, to develop the disease.

Testicular cancer can be treated through surgery. After diagnosis, the testis is removed. This is done through a small incision. The testis and tissue are then examined under the microscope to determine the type of cancer.

When this has been determined other therapies such as chemotherapy may be advised. Using these therapies, testicular cancer has one of the highest cure rates of all cancers. The good news is that treatment for testicular cancer (which may be very intensive) has no long term side effects the majority of the time. The important thing is to have a wee grope. If you’ve any worries - go see your doctor.

www.icr.ac.uk/everyman/