The reasons young men need to know about testicular cancer

Experts advise young men to be aware of testicular cancer since, despite its rarity and curability, it may have a serious effect on their reproductive health.

 

In India as well as the rest of the globe, testicular cancer is uncommon. Less than 1 guy per 100,000 people is afflicted with testicular cancer, making the nation one of the least impacted by the disease. Nonetheless, it is the most prevalent malignancy in young men between the ages of 15 and 35, and it has a major impact on their ability to conceive.

“The ability to reproduce may be hampered by the direct impact that testicular cancer has on the organs that produce sperm,” Dr. Pallavi Prasad, a fertility consultant at Nova IVF Fertility in Basaveshwara Nagar, Bengaluru, told IANS.

“The main treatment for testicular cancer is often surgery, which entails removing the diseased testicle. This operation may have an impact on sperm production even if its goal is to eradicate cancerous cells. She said, “sperm production may be temporarily or permanently limited, even if the remaining testicle is healthy.

Furthermore, radiation and chemotherapy, which are used to target cancer cells all throughout the body, might kill sperm cells unintentionally, which lowers sperm count and quality. Prior to receiving cancer treatment, the doctor recommended sperm banking as a means of preserving fertility.

Even if cancer treatments affects fertility, men may still pursue biological fatherhood by preserving sperm prior to treatment. It’s crucial to remember that not all men may have access to fertility preservation techniques, and choosing to look into them may not be an easy choice. Decisions of fertility preservation may be influenced by treatment urgency, financial considerations, and personal preferences, according to Dr. Prasad.

The exact causes of testicular cancer are still unknown, although risk factors include undersized testes or undescended testes (cryptorchidism), among other congenital abnormalities, and early exposure to oestrogens via hormone treatment.

The most typical sign of testicular cancer, according to Dr. Shalabh Agrawal, Consultant in Urology at C.K. Birla Hospital in Gurugram, is a painless growth in one of the testicles, IANS was informed.

On the other hand, an abrupt and painful growth is more often the result of an infection than cancer. He went on, “Patients who are receiving treatment for a protracted testicular infection but who still have an enlargement should be evaluated for the potential of testicular cancer.”

However, as Dr. Agrwal said, “testicular cancer is considered a highly treatable form of cancer, with a 10-year survival rate exceeding 90%,” early identification by self-examination is crucial.

Every day, after taking a shower, one should gently palpate both testicles to conduct a self-examination. This will allow one to look for any anomalies in size, location, or the existence of lumps or swelling. It is crucial to notify a healthcare professional right away if any such changes are seen so that they may be further assessed and managed appropriately, he said.