Cancer Warning signs

Gentlemen and Ladies,

I have a dual purpose for this thread, one is education and I’ll get to the other at the end.

All the information contained in this post has been taken from various sites on the web regarding prostate and testicular cancer.

Did you know that in the next year, 365 days, that 317,100 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in this country (the U.S.) and 41,400 men will lose their life to this form of cancer? The rate for testicular cancer is 1 in 500.

The warning signs are as follows for prostate cancer:

Weak urine flow, that is interrupted or difficult to control
Frequent need to urinate
Painful urination
Back or pelvic pain

Currently, and this is the bad news, the method of choice to treat prostate cancer is the removal of the prostate gland. They also use radiation therapy as an alternative method and or supplement to prostatectomy (removal). They can also use medication to block the cancer cells from receiving the male hormone necessary for growth. As you can probably deduce, none of these treatments are great for a good sex life.

All men over the age of 50, needs to have a digital rectal exam at least once a year. ALL men, should check their PSA yearly. As there have been other threads on this subject, prostate problems don’t not only attack the older men, but younger ones as well.

Testicular cancer is normally the most common form of cancer in men ages 15 to 35. It normally, usually, but not always occurs between the ages of 15 and 40, however, can occur at any age. The good news is that testicular cancer is successfully treated in 95% of all cases. The cause of testicular cancer is still unknown even though the number of cases has doubled in the last 30-40 years. Research shows that:

Some men are more likely to develop testicular cancer (ie: boys born with the
testes in the lower abdomen rather than in the scrotum.

Testicular cancer is sometimes, but not always, linked to other rare conditions where the testicles do not form properly.

And there is some debate going on whether or not pollutants are contributing factors as the increase in cases correlates to the industrial growth and subsequent waste.
The warning signs of testicular cancer are:

A pea-sized lump in either testicle
Enlargement of the testicle
Shrinking of the testicles
Changes in the harness of the testicle
Heaviness of the scrotum
Ache in the lower abdomen or groin
Fluid in the scrotum
Pain or discomfort in the testicle or scrotum
Enlargement or tenderness of the breast.

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Both forms of cancer are preventable, granted the doctor has to check the one, sorry guys, but for testicular cancer, you can do monthly self exams. You do these by:

Standing in front of a mirror and visually inspect for any scrotal swelling. Even if one looks larger than the other, don’t panic, this is usually normal. What you are looking for is major differences in size. Next, examine each testicle with both hands, placing the index and middle finger under the testicle with the thumbs on top. Roll the testicle between the thumbs and fingers checking for any lumps or otherwise unusual notations. Then find the epididymis (the soft tube located behind the testicle), Check for lumps, bumps there.

not true symptoms for prostate cancer irritable bladder or weaker bladder or fluid retention show exactly the same symptoms

The approach to prostate cancer has changed dramatically in the past 10 years. There is a big debate going on concerning the best way to detect and treat it. My takeaway: always get a second opinion if your doctor thinks you have prostate cancer.