Testicular Cancer and Men's Health

Cancers of the reproductive organs in men and women have the lowest early detection rates of most cancers. While testicular cancer symptoms present themselves in very obvious ways there is a certain gender centric difficulty in reporting symptoms and confirming diagnosis, particularly given the emotionally and psychosexual sensitivity of the region. Men simply do not want to acknowledge issues of health concern and it is a gender specific quality that has mortality rates climbing in certain types of cancers where early detection is critical. Being bashful to acknowledge a problem or health concern in the genital region can be fatal.

Testicular cancer symptoms appear on the onset as some significant abnormalities that should be easy to detect if the patient is forthcoming and observant to their own body and overall health. Testicular cancer symptoms can begin as tenderness or acute soreness in the lower back, unusual pain or swelling in the testicles or the presence of abnormally inflamed or discolored areas of skin, or growths around the area. The experience of sexual discomfort during erections, painful bleeding during urination and even the detection of blood in the ejaculate are all hallmark signs of testicular cancer symptoms.

While the same symptoms can be present in a case of prostate cancer as well, testicular cancer symptoms can only be confirmed by examination by a physician and testing. If a lump is found in the testicles a needle biopsy may be acquired to test the tissue of the tumor to detect if it is benign. CT scans and ultrasounds are also part of the identification of abnormal tumors or growths.

Attitudes toward male sexuality and healthcare are starting to change but a good degree of historical influence prohibits men behaviorally from seeking out medical advice at the early detection states of testicular cancer symptoms. Whether a matter of embarrassment or a personal issue with vulnerability the predisposition for men to delay in seeking treatment creates an environment where the risk of cancer metastasizing increases needlessly.

The treatments which commence after the confirmation of testicular cancer symptoms are typically non-invasive and may involve chemotherapy and radiological treatment in a topical area. In more severe cases a radical inguinal orchiectomy or surgical removal of the testes is required to prevent the spread of cancer into the nearby abdominal lymph nodes. In all cancer treatments prevention of the spread of cancer through the body is key to patient recovery, and preventing the spread into the lymphatic system is critical. As such radiological therapies may also be targeted at the abdominal region to prohibit the growth of cancer in the abdominal cavity and surround vital organs.

Much sociological work needs to be done to encourage men to part with the traditions of "suffering in silence" and take a more practice role in managing their healthcare by being aware of symptoms and also by being willing to proceed with investigations to determine diagnoses at the early stages. In this way testicular cancer symptoms will cease to develop into life threatening situations with high patient morbidity rates.