Silence May be Golden but Not When It's About Testicular Cancer
This week, we`ve been spotlighting cancers that afflict men. Testicular is one of the least talked about cancers and, unfortunately, one of the most common. First thing that needs to be addressed is what exactly testicular cancer is. This disease can develop 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 remain dormant until sperm fertilizes an egg. When the germ cells become cancerous, they multiply, forming a mass of cells called tumors that invade normal tissues. Testicular cancer has the potential to spread to other parts of your body. When this occurs, the cells migrate from the original tumor to other parts of the body through your circulatory and lymph node systems. It can often spread to the abdominal area, liver, lungs, bones, and the brain. Testicular cancer, if left untreated, is deadly because it can spread at such a rapid pace.
Testicular cancer does not discriminate. It can affect males of any age, whether they are in their infancy or in their golden years, though the highest rate of diagnoses occurs in males between the ages of 15 to 40. It is the leading cancer in men under age 40, and there is a higher mortality rate than breast cancer in this age group. The overall five-year relative survival rate of men with testicular cancer is 95%. In 2010, an estimated 8,290 men in the United States were diagnosed with testicular cancer; and 350 deaths from this disease occurred last year. Almost all of these deaths were from the cancer spreading to other parts of the body and could not be effectively treated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery.
There is one new diagnosis every hour, but if detected early on, it is very treatable and curable. So break the silence, guys; testicular cancer is nothing to be ashamed of or something that needs to be kept quiet. The longer you remain silent on this disease, the higher the mortality rate will climb.
To learn more, talk to your doctor or health care professional and visit:www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/testicular
