HOW TO TALK TO YOUR TEEN ABOUT TESTICULAR CANCER


Testicular cancer is not something most people chat about over family dinner, but parents of boys need to be aware of it, and talk about it. The earlier it’s diagnosed and treated, the better, and educating your sons is the first step in protecting them.


The good news is that testicular cancer has an excellent recovery rate, provided it is detected early and treated effectively. So if you have sons, discuss it openly and frankly with them, and make sure they do regular testicular self-examinations from around the age of 15.

Movember is a global health initiative that aims to raise awareness of critical male health issues. All around the world, supporters of the Movember Foundation known as ‘Mo Brothers’ (or ‘Mo Bros’) and ‘Mo Sisters’ form a global network that champions education around male health and raises funds for men’s health projects.

The focus of Movember campaigns usually falls on more common issues such as prostrate cancer and heart disease, but this year special attention is being paid to testicular cancer. This type of cancer mainly affects younger men from around 15 to 39 years of age. It is a highly treatable form of cancer – but early detection is of particular importance.

Related article: Why to grow your moustache on November

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
According to Siphosethu Khoza*, a 21-year-old testicular cancer survivor from Orlando whose journey with cancer began when he was 17, he had experienced pain in one of his testicles for more than a year. ‘Some days were better than others,’ he recalls. ‘Basically, I shrugged it off – I assumed it was just part of growing up.’

However, he soon developed migraines that kept him home from school, and then a dull ache developed in the pit of his stomach. These physical pains were accompanied by feelings of lethargy and mental health concerns. ‘I wasn’t depressed, luckily, but I wasn’t feeling myself,’ he says.

In addition to the symptoms he describes, some of the most common early-warning signs of testicular cancer are hard lumps or bumps in the testicular region or groin area. This is why regular (monthly) self-examinations are a crucial first line of defence in the battle against this disease.

DID YOU KNOW?
Worldwide, cancer of the testicles is more common in white males than black males.



TALKING TO BOYS ABOUT TESTICULAR CANCER
The subject of testicular cancer can be a difficult one to raise with your teenage son. At this age, boys are at a stage of development when they feel (to put it mildly) keen to avoid discussing this sort of thing with their parents. This is especially true in households where topics like sexual health are not discussed openly.

‘My mother was a nurse and we were always very frank and open in the house about anything medical,’ says Siphosethu. ‘Even so, it took me a long time to connect the pain I was feeling down there to anything serious going on.’ Even though the discussion may be a little awkward, play your part by sharing the following information with the teenager in your life.
  • Make them aware of the condition: Although their body is going through changes, they should remain sensitive to the usual ‘warning signs’ of the body such as pain and swelling.
  • Stress the importance of regular self-examinations, and underline the fact that early detection is crucial in the fight against testicular cancer.
  • Remind them that anything they discuss with a doctor, should they find anything of concern during a self-examination, will be treated confidentially. They are in a phase of life where emotions such as shame and self- judgement can easily be triggered, so it’s common for teenagers to avoid bringing medical concerns to adult attention. Make them understand how important it is not to ignore any symptoms.

WHAT CAUSES IT?
Affecting about 70,000 males around the world each year, testicular cancer has no exact cause, and experiences of it can vary greatly from patient to patient. Basically, testicular cancer develops when there is abnormal cell growth in the testicles. Growth becomes unregulated, with cells continuing to divide even when new ones are not needed. More than 90 percent of cases of testicular cancer originate in the cells that produce sperm.

Though the exact causes of testicular cancer are unknown, there are certain risk factors to keep in mind.
  • Age: Testicular cancer tends to affect younger males, with the 15-39 age group particularly vulnerable.
  • Family history: If any members of your close or extended family have had testicular cancer, you may have an increased risk and should perform regular checks.
  • Race: According to research, testicular cancer is more prevalent among European and American populations than African and Asian populations.
  • An undescended testicle (known as cryptorchidism): Males who were born with an undescended testicle are at increased risk, even if the testicle has subsequently been surgically relocated.
  • Abnormal testicle development: Injuries or conditions that cause testicles to develop abnormally may increase your risk of this form of cancer.

Related article: Family health history: why it’s important and what to know

TREATMENT OPTIONS
If the signs and symptoms described here sound familiar to you, or if you find something that worries you during a self-check, the first step is to consult a doctor.

They will perform a physical examination and if they think something could be wrong they will recommend some tests. These might include:
  • Urine tests: These are effective for ruling out certain sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), which may cause symptoms that are similar to those of testicular cancer.
  • Blood tests: These will check for ‘tumour markers’ (substances found in blood, urine or body tissue that indicate the presence of cancer cells) in your bloodstream.
  • Ultrasound: These are usually performed by a urologist (specialist in the urinary system). If there is a testicular cancer tumour, an ultrasound image can reveal its size and nature.

Specific treatment options will depend on the kind and extent of the testicular cancer, but almost invariably, the first intervention will be to surgically remove the affected testicle. This procedure, known as an orchiectomy, is performed under general anaesthetic, and – provided the cancer has been detected early enough – is usually a decisive factor on the road to recovery.

As well as surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are often used to kill off any remaining cancer cells. ‘I was lucky,’ says Siphosethu. ‘I had the surgery and just two sessions of radiation as follow-up – then I was clear.’

‘IT WAS LIKE BEING SICK WITH ANYTHING ELSE’
Reflecting on his winning battle with testicular cancer, Siphosethu says, ‘To be honest, by far the hardest part was the diagnosis. That’s when I needed all the love and support I could get. It all felt impossible. But once I got over that news, and I got all the information I needed, I just told myself it was like being sick with anything else. Follow the treatment, and hopefully you’ll get better.’

As a parent, you can do your part this November by making sure the boys in your life are aware of testicular cancer, and do regular self-exams.

HOW TO PERFORM A TESTICULAR CANCER SELF-EXAM
ARE YOU A MALE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 15 AND 39?

Then follow these pointers to perform regular checks for testicular cancer. Be sure to perform this self-examination every month, as the emergence of testicular cancer can often be noticed through changes in the feel or appearance of the testicles.
  • The best time for you to examine your testicles is during or after a warm bath/shower, when the skin of the scrotum is relaxed.
  • Examine each testicle separately, holding your penis out of the way so that you can perform a visual as well as a tactile (touch) test.
  • Hold the testicle between your thumb and fingers and roll it gently between your fingers. Repeat with both hands.
  • Look and feel for any hard lumps or bumps in the testicles (smooth, rounded masses known as nodules).
  • Look for any change in the size, shape or consistency of your testicles. Do they look and feel the same as last month?
  • Note that it is completely normal for one testicle to be slightly larger than the other, and for one side of the scrotum to hang lower than the other.
  • Also note that every normal, healthy testicle does contain a small, coiled tube that can feel, to the untrained tester, like a worrying bump. This tube is called the epididymis and is located on the upper, outer side of the testicle.

Related article: 7 Health checks every man should have

 JET CLUB HELPLINES
PERSONAL HEALTH ADVISOR

For free advice on health issues, Jet Club members can call our helpline.

SA & Namibia
0800 00 45 45

Botswana, Lesotho & Swaziland
+2711 991 8258

For more information about Movember, visit za.movember.com For more information about testicular cancer, diagnoses and treatment options, visit cansa.org
*Name has been changed to protect identity


HOW TO TALK TO YOUR TEEN ABOUT TESTICULAR CANCER HOW TO TALK TO YOUR TEEN ABOUT TESTICULAR CANCER Reviewed by Michelle Pienaar on October 15, 2021 Rating: 5
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