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With some questionable health advice being posted by your friends on Facebook, politicians arguing about the state of the American healthcare system and a new medical study being summarized in just a sentence or two on TV---that seems to contradict the study you heard summarized yesterday---it can be overwhelming to navigate the ever-changing landscape of health news.

To Your Health: Testicular Cancer

Chell and Brian Jannin

The Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation reports that testicular cancer is the leading cancer in men ages 15-44. The Urology Care Foundation states that with timely diagnosis, this cancer is most likely treatable and most often curable. This is why it is important for men to be aware of the signs of a testicular tumor.

April is testicular cancer awareness month.

I was shocked when my friends Chell and Brian Jannin disclosed Brian was battling testicular cancer. He was one of the 9,560 new cases of testicular cancer the American Cancer Society reports are diagnosed each year.  I am proud of how public they were about his diagnosis and treatment. Like women’s gynecological cancers and cancers of the colon, sometimes people are hesitant to admit they have noticed something awry in their “private” areas, but this can cost them their lives.

The American Cancer Society reports the first symptom of testicular cancer is a lump on the testicle.  Some testicular tumors might cause pain, but most of the time they don't. Men with testicular cancer can also have a feeling of heaviness or aching in the lower belly. If you have any of these symptoms, you should see your doctor right away. They will do a physical examination which may include ultrasound, blood tests, and other imaging, such as a PET scan.  After diagnosis, testicular cancer may be treated with a combination of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.

Resources:
https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/what-is-testicular-cancer
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/testicular-cancer/about.html

 

Dr. Brooke Hildebrand Clubbs is an assistant professor in the Department of Leadership, Middle & Secondary Education. She writes for special publications of The Southeast Missourian and is a certified Community Health Worker.
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