ladym123
06-26-2011, 12:17
FYI USMG Guys!
My brother has just been diagnosed with testicular cancer…he is 45. We don’t know how advanced it is yet, but his symptoms suggest it is pretty advanced. He has had his symptoms “for ages and ages” he says, but in typical ‘guy’ style he put off going to the doc and buried his head in the sand. The most frustrating thing is that this type of cancer is the most treatable and curable cancer there is. Caught early, there is essentially a 100% cure rate and relatively easy/pain free treatments, even at later stages though, this cancer has a great prognosis.
With this in mind I appeal to you all to be aware of the signs and symptoms. It is THE most common cancer in young men between the ages of 15 and 45. My brother now has a long, hard fight on his hands, but had he got checked earlier it could have been done and dusted by now.
Symptoms
The most common symptom of testicular cancer is swelling or a hard, pea-sized lump on one testicle. Other symptoms include:
a pulling sensation or feeling of unusual heaviness in the scrotum
a dull ache in the groin or lower abdomen
pain or discomfort (which may come and go) in the testicle or scrotum
collection of fluid in the scrotum (called a hydrocele)
feeling unwell and tired
Very rarely, if the cancer is at a later stage, symptoms can include breast tenderness, back pain, shortness of breath and coughing up blood.
These symptoms don't always mean you have testicular cancer, but see your doctor if you're concerned.
Causes
The causes of testicular cancer are unknown. However, the number of men who develop it is increasing and research is being done to find out why.
The greatest risk is for men born with an undescended testicle (one that remains in the abdominal cavity rather than descending into the scrotum). Boys who don't have the condition corrected by the age of 11 may be up to 32 times more likely to develop testicular cancer later.
Other risk factors include:
having a brother or father who had testicular cancer
fertility problems
being from a wealthier social group
being white
having a rare complication of mumps called orchitis (painful swelling of the testicles)
A vasectomy or injury to the testicles doesn't cause testicular cancer.
My brother had an undescended testicle, which was operated on when he was 6, so this could be the cause in his case.
So always check yourself regularly and see the doctor if you have any unusual symptoms. It is so easily dealt with if caught early!
There is tons of further information on the internet if you want to know more.
My brother has just been diagnosed with testicular cancer…he is 45. We don’t know how advanced it is yet, but his symptoms suggest it is pretty advanced. He has had his symptoms “for ages and ages” he says, but in typical ‘guy’ style he put off going to the doc and buried his head in the sand. The most frustrating thing is that this type of cancer is the most treatable and curable cancer there is. Caught early, there is essentially a 100% cure rate and relatively easy/pain free treatments, even at later stages though, this cancer has a great prognosis.
With this in mind I appeal to you all to be aware of the signs and symptoms. It is THE most common cancer in young men between the ages of 15 and 45. My brother now has a long, hard fight on his hands, but had he got checked earlier it could have been done and dusted by now.
Symptoms
The most common symptom of testicular cancer is swelling or a hard, pea-sized lump on one testicle. Other symptoms include:
a pulling sensation or feeling of unusual heaviness in the scrotum
a dull ache in the groin or lower abdomen
pain or discomfort (which may come and go) in the testicle or scrotum
collection of fluid in the scrotum (called a hydrocele)
feeling unwell and tired
Very rarely, if the cancer is at a later stage, symptoms can include breast tenderness, back pain, shortness of breath and coughing up blood.
These symptoms don't always mean you have testicular cancer, but see your doctor if you're concerned.
Causes
The causes of testicular cancer are unknown. However, the number of men who develop it is increasing and research is being done to find out why.
The greatest risk is for men born with an undescended testicle (one that remains in the abdominal cavity rather than descending into the scrotum). Boys who don't have the condition corrected by the age of 11 may be up to 32 times more likely to develop testicular cancer later.
Other risk factors include:
having a brother or father who had testicular cancer
fertility problems
being from a wealthier social group
being white
having a rare complication of mumps called orchitis (painful swelling of the testicles)
A vasectomy or injury to the testicles doesn't cause testicular cancer.
My brother had an undescended testicle, which was operated on when he was 6, so this could be the cause in his case.
So always check yourself regularly and see the doctor if you have any unusual symptoms. It is so easily dealt with if caught early!
There is tons of further information on the internet if you want to know more.