As we get to the second half of November, let\u2019s talk about men\u2019s health problems. The most common ailments young men have are prostate and testicular cancers and mental health issues, among others. Testicular cancer is an illness that has gained significant traction over the past few years. Here\u2019s what you should look out for to stay vigilant against it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As we get to the second half of November, let\u2019s talk about men\u2019s health problems. The most common ailments young men have are prostate and testicular cancers and mental health issues, among others. Testicular cancer is an illness that has gained significant traction over the past few years. Here\u2019s what you should look out for to stay vigilant against it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is testicular cancer?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The testicles are male sex glands located in the scrotum, the sac of skin that lies below the penis. They produce sperm and the hormone testosterone. Cancer is a disease caused by the uncontrolled division or growth of abnormal cells in the body. Cells in nearly every part of the body are susceptible to it. Moreover, cancer originating in one area can spread to others as well. Cancer that starts in the testicles is called testicular cancer. When malignant cancerous cells develop in the tissues of a testicle\u2014or any body part for that matter\u2014they must be treated as soon as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although testicular cancer is not very common (on average, 1 in 250 males<\/a><\/em> will develop it during their lifespan), the incidence of testicular cancer has been increasing in the US and many other nations for several decades. Even though the rate of increase is believed to have slowed down recently, testicular cancer remains a cause for concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The testicles comprise many different types of cells, so there are different kinds of testicular cancers. Most start in germ cells, which are responsible for making sperm. The two major types of germ cell tumours<\/a><\/em> are seminomas and nonseminomas. Seminomas tend to grow and spread slowly; non-seminomas generally grow and spread more rapidly and are most frequently found in men between the ages of 25 and 45. Both types are usually treatable and curable, particularly when discovered in time. Most often, within a seminoma or non-seminoma, some cancerous cells may be of these different kinds, all of which have slightly different features. Cancers that start in other organs also have the possibility of spreading or metastasizing to the testicles, but these are considered secondary testicular cancers and are medically regarded as different from testicular cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although testicular cancer can be a scary or difficult diagnosis, a few points below can help demystify this condition for you and explain certain key risk factors or behaviours that might help with avoiding or treating it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tes\u00adtic\u00adu\u00adlar can\u00adcer is most common in males between 15 and 35 years of age, although it can still occur in old\u00ader men. The average age of diagnosis of testicular cancer is about 33. Thus it is largely a condition that affects young or middle-aged men, although about 6% cases occur in children and teens and about 8% in men over 55. While it is the most prevalent form of can\u00adcer amongst younger males<\/a><\/em>, it only accounts for about 1% of total male cancers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A risk factor can be anything that increases your likelihood of getting cancer. However, it\u2019s important to remember that having one or multiple risk factors for an illness is in no way a certain indicator but rather a probability of sorts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the case of testicular cancer, an unde\u00adscend\u00aded tes\u00adti\u00adcle\u2014a con\u00addi\u00adtion called cryp\u00adtorchidism<\/a><\/em>\u2014is a risk factor. Cryptorchidism is when one or both tes\u00adti\u00adcles fail to move into the scro\u00adtum before birth. Unde\u00adscend\u00aded tes\u00adti\u00adcles usually con\u00adtin\u00adue to drop into the scro\u00adtum dur\u00ading a child\u2019s first year of life, but in some cases, this has to be carried out surgically. Cryp\u00adtorchidism is fairly rare, occurring in only about 3% of boys. Individuals with cryptorchidism are sev\u00ader\u00adal times more like\u00adly to be afflicted with tes\u00adtic\u00adu\u00adlar can\u00adcer and should stay vigilant and screen themselves regularly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Apart from cryptorchidism, things like family history of testicular cancer, race and HIV infection might also be risk factors for testicular cancer. White men are at a higher risk of getting testicular cancer than Black and Asian men. According to the American Cancer Society<\/a><\/em>, men infected with HIV face an increased risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Testicular cancer is also tied to overall metabolic health. Research<\/a><\/em> suggests that individuals with testicular cancer displaying symptoms of hypogonadism (a condition where they do not produce enough testosterone) are at a significantly higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. Examination of endocrine and metabolic parameters is recommended in these patients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Metabolic syndrome refers to a cluster of conditions that occur simultaneously, elevating your risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. These conditions include increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels. It is hypothesised that this link could be indirectly related to testicular cancer treatment or due to other hormonal factors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Men who are infertile have a higher possibility or risk of developing testicular cancer. Some of the same factors that result in infertility may also be related to the development of testicular cancer, although the exact genetic mechanisms behind this require more research. But an American study from 2009<\/a><\/em> that evaluated men who had male factor infertility (caused by several factors such as motility, abnormal sperm production, hindrance of delivery of sperm or low sperm production) found that they were nearly three times more likely to develop testicular cancer than those who did not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Accord\u00ading to the Amer\u00adi\u00adcan Can\u00adcer Soci\u00adety<\/a><\/em>, some men with tes\u00adtic\u00adu\u00adlar can\u00adcer might not show any symp\u00adtoms, while oth\u00aders may have symp\u00adtoms such as a lump or swelling in their testicle, breast growth or soreness (triggered by a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin [HCG]), signs of puberty at an unusually early age, lower back pain, chest pain, headaches or confusion. Testicular cancer is usually discovered through ultrasound imaging or blood tests for markers such as alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) or HCG after any of these symptoms are observed, or during routine medical testing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Self-examination<\/a><\/em> is an effec\u00adtive way to notice any lumps, nod\u00adules or changes to the tes\u00adti\u00adcles. A clin\u00adi\u00adcal tes\u00adtic\u00adu\u00adlar exam should be per\u00adformed by your pri\u00adma\u00adry care physi\u00adcian dur\u00ading any annu\u00adal health check-up. Asym\u00adme\u00adtry in tes\u00adti\u00adcles is normal and reg\u00adu\u00adlar self-exams will famil\u00adiarise you with your own anato\u00admy. Thus you\u2019ll be bet\u00adter equipped to rec\u00adog\u00adnise changes as they occur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Testicular cancer is usually curable, particularly when caught early. Although a cancer diagnosis is always alarming, testicular cancer can be successfully treated in 95% of cases<\/a><\/em>. There are three major kinds of treatment: surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Surgery that removes the affected tes\u00adti\u00adcles (orchiec\u00adto\u00admy) cures most patients, although in some cases (non-seminomas) associated lymph nodes may also have to be removed. Even when the tumours have spread to oth\u00ader areas of the body, can\u00adcer can be par\u00adtial\u00adly or entire\u00adly removed by surgery. After surgery, some patients may need to under\u00adgo chemother\u00ada\u00adpy or radi\u00ada\u00adtion treat\u00adment to kill any remain\u00ading can\u00adcer cells or prevent tumours from returning. Patients are advised to con\u00adtin\u00adue thorough self-exam\u00adi\u00adna\u00adtions to identify abnor\u00admal\u00adi\u00adties after receiv\u00ading treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s important to keep these facts about testicular cancer in mind and be aware of the risks that this disease poses. By regularly self-examining and remaining vigilant, it is possible to detect testicular cancer at an early stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Moreover, knowing that testicular cancer is usually treatable and understanding the factors that play into this diagnosis can help you know when to seek medical expertise. Young and middle-aged men\u2014who are within the age range most susceptible to this illness or affected by risk factors such as infertility or HIV\u2014should be particularly careful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Disclaimer:<\/em> The contents of this article are for general information and educational purposes only. It neither provides any medical advice nor intends to substitute professional medical opinion on the treatment, diagnosis, prevention or alleviation of any disease, disorder or disability. Always consult with your doctor or qualified healthcare professional about your health condition and\/or concerns and before undertaking a new health care regimen including making any dietary or lifestyle changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n References<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1) https:\/\/my.clevelandclinic.org\/health\/diseases\/12183-testicular-cancer<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 2) https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/testicular-cancer\/about\/what-is-testicular-cancer.html<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 3) https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/testicular-cancer\/about\/key-statistics.html<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat you should know about testicular cancer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n