March 29, 2024

April is Testicular Cancer Awareness Month

April is Testicular Cancer Awareness Month. In addition, Testicular Cancer Awareness Week is April 1-7.

Testicular cancer, the leading cancer in men ages 15-35, can strike at any age, yet it’s hardly talked about. When detected early, it has a survival rate of more than 95 percent. Monthly testicular self-exams for men are encouraged, knowing this is the most effective method of early detection.

Testicular cancer is a disease where cancer develops in one or both of the testicles. It occurs when germ cells experience abnormal growth. Germ cells, like stem cells, have the potential to form any cell in the body.

Normally, these cells lie dormant until sperm fertilizes an egg. If germ cells (a sexual reproductive cell) become cancerous, they multiply, forming a mass of cells called tumors that begin to invade normal tissue. When this happens these cells have the potential to form a variety of embryonic like features including but not limited to; hair, nails, teeth etc.

Testicular cancer can metastasize, meaning that it can spread to other parts of the body. During this time cells leave the original tumor from the testicle and migrate to other parts of the body through blood and lymph vessels forming new tumors. Testicular cancer spreads most often to the abdomen, liver, lungs, bones and brain. Testicular cancer can spread rapidly and is deadly if left untreated.

Testicular cancer has a fast onset. If not detected early, the cancerous tumors can grow rapidly with the ability to double in size in just 10 - 30 days.

Self-examination of the testes is important for early detection of testicular cancer. The most common method of early detection is performing a monthly exam. Since testicular cancer is usually isolated to a single testicle, comparison of one testicle with the other can be helpful. It is normal for one testicle to be slightly larger than the other. The focus should be noticing any changes from the previous month.

Upon reaching puberty, all men should conduct a monthly testicular self-exam and ask their doctor during their yearly physical to perform one, as well.

Information for this article was obtained from http://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org. For more information on self exams, go to the same website.