Movember, An annual event involving the growing of moustaches during the month of November to raise awareness of men’s health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men’s suicide.
According to the Cancer Association of Namibia (CAN), Testicular cancer is the most common type of cancer in men aged between 15-37 years. They further stressed that young men whose testes have not descended into the scrotum are more at risk.
Medical author, Charles P. Davis (MD, PHD), explains Testicular cancer as a disease; when testicular cells become abnormal.
Signs and Symptoms
Dr. Davis says, Testicular Cancer is often first detected by a lump or swelling in a testicles. Other Symptoms include:
- Testicular pain or discomfort
- Testicular enlargement or shrinkage
- Aches in the abdomen, back or groin
- Fluid collection in the scrotum
Home examination
CAN encourages regular check-ups with your Doctor or visit the CAN offices, at least twice a year.
Its advised that all men should examine their testicles monthly after puberty.
With timely diagnosis, testicular cancer is most likely treatable and most often curable.
Risk Factors for testicular cancer include:
- Having has undescended testicle
- Having a personal history of testicular cancer
- Having a family history of testicular cancer
- Being white
According to the Cancer center, Caucasian men have a five times greater risk of developing testicular cancer than black men, and a three times greater risk compared with Asian or Indian men.
For more information, go to www.can.org.na or visit any of their offices countrywide.
If you missed our previous Movember article on Prostate Cancer, read it here.