Testicular Cancer Awareness Week

Did you see this: … WARNING Are you a man between 12-50 or Are you a son, brother, father, mother, spouse, or friend of someone who is? Know this: There will be nearly 9,000 new cases of Testicular Cancer diagnosed during 2013 and 380 young men will die from the disease because they didn’t catch it in time. That is more deaths than women in this age group who will die of breast cancer. In addition, there will be 1,280 men diagnosed with penis and other genital cancers of which 290 men will die. (tcwa.org)

Testicular Cancer is the most common cancer in men ages 15-40, that time when we don’t want to admit the possibility of illness. However, if detected early, it is among the easiest to cure.

Beverly’s Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Testicular Cancer Awareness Week:

You are never too young or too old to do a self-exam. Teach young boys just like we do teen girls to do a self-exam. It should not be embarrassing and it does save lives.

Learn how to do an self-exam:

The most convenient time to examine yourself if while taking a shower or bath. The warm water causes the skin to relax, making the examination of the underlying tissue easier.
Slowly roll each testicle between the thumb and fingers. Try to find any hard, non sensitive lumps.
Second, examine the Epididymis for lumps. This crescent-shaped cord is behind each testicle.
Third, examine the VAS (the sperm-carrying tube which extends from the epididymis) of each testicle.
Know that in the early stages, testicular cancer may be symptomless. When symptoms do occur they include: Lump on testicle, epididymis or vas. Enlargement of a testicle. Heavy sensation in groin area or testicles. Dull ache in groin or abdomen area. If you find a lump or have any of the above symptoms, see your doctor immediately for an accurate diagnosis.
Want to learn more, visit http://www.testicularcancercanada.ca/?option=com_content&view=article&id=74&Itemid=50

Testicular Cancer is the most common cancer in men ages 15-40, that time when we don’t want to admit the possibility of illness. However, if detected early, it is among the easiest to cure. Beverly Beuermann-King Click to tweet

Know the risk factors:

Age: Most testicular cancers occur between the ages of 15 and 40.
Cryptorchidism: The main risk factor for testicular cancer is a condition called cryptorchidism or undescended testicle(s).
Family history: A family history of testicular cancer increases the risk.
HIV Infection: There is some evidence that men infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), particularly those with AIDS, are at increased risk.
Carcinoma in situ: This condition does not produce a mass or cause any symptoms. Carcinoma in situ (CIS) in the testicles almost always progresses to cancer. In some cases, CIS is detected in men who undergo a testicular biopsy during medical evaluation of infertility.
Cancer of the other testicle: A history of testicle cancer is another risk factor. Men who have been cured of cancer in one testicle have an increased risk of developing cancer in the other testicle.
Race and ethnicity: The risk of testicular cancer among white American men is about five times that of African-American men and more than double that of Asian-American men. The reason for this different is not known. Testicular cancer risk has more than doubled among white Americans in the past 40 years, but has remained the same for African-American men. Worldwide, the risk of developing this disease is highest among men living in the US, the UK and Scandinavia, and lowest among African and Asian men.

Talk about it.

Private parts are private, but knowing how to detect an illness early is just as essential as the ‘birds and the bees’.

Get support.

If you have concerns or notice changes, talk to your doctor. If you are diagnosed with cancer, don’t try to go it alone. Reach out to your family, friends and co-workers. Who knows, you may save someone else’s life by doing so.

If you have some strategies to share – comment on this posting!