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.

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.

If you find a lump, go see a doctor as soon as you can. It might not be cancer, it could be an infection or free floating lump, but why take chances. Cancer doesn’t just stay put, it spreads to other parts of the body.

Now, I said there were two reasons, this is the second one. I am a cancer survivor of 20 years now, we caught my cervical cancer very very early, early detection is the key. I am also a member of a relay for life team this year. The American Cancer Society puts on this walkathon to help rasie money, awareness for cancer . I’m not asking for dontations for me, but I am asking that each of you contact your local chapter of the American Cancer Society and see how you can help. Maybe it will be by walking, or maybe it will be by buying something to honor a survivor or to memoralize someone you lost to cancer. But remember, that cancer knows no race, sex, creed or religion, and we need to do something to rid our world of this horrible killer. Together we can make a difference.

Ok, I’m off the soap box.

I know this is probably due to hormone changes or something, but under my left nipple, the harder piece of tissue that resides below it (if you push your index finger and thumb about 1” apart from eachother with the nipple in the center, pushing towards the center, you will feel this), has gotten much harder and hurts when I touch it. It’s the only place where it hurts, and I dunno what the heck it could be except for an infection or hormone change. (I don’t do any drugs, steroids or anything like that).

Does anyone know what it could be? Except for cancer, I’ve pretty much ruled that out :) .

By the way, this began not very long after I began PEing.

Sunny.

Thanks very much for that. Important info.

But lest men reading the part about prostate cancer signs get freaked, regular, old, common prostatitis gives exactly the same symptoms. They are a clue that something is out of whack, not necessarily that you have PCa (prostate cancer). The PSA test is not perfect but it is right now the best tool we have as an indicator.

Words to the wise:
When you have a PSA test scheduled, avoid ejaculating for at least 48 hrs prior to the blood drawing. Some urologists suggest 72 hrs. Ejaculation drives up the PSA reading, whether or not there is a real problem.
If you are actively symptomatic with prostatitis, your PSA level will be higher than usual, sometimes much higher. Higher PSA readings always get doctors anxious. Don’t let anybody push you to a biopsy until you have had a couple of PSA tests, preferably at least one when you are over the prostatic symptoms and are feeling fine. More about this later.

Avocet

I agree that prostatitis gives the same type of symptoms, but why take chances? Had I ignored my symptoms 20 years ago, I wouldn’t be writing this now. I am simply suggesting that if a guy notices something not quite right, he get it checked out.

thanks sunshine,

I’m writing the symptoms down just in case. I’m only young but being young I have the mentality that I am 110% invicible. It’s good to have a reality check every so often, the facts don’t lie.

Because of the very low incidence of Prostate Ca in Italy, a study has been done that shows Lycopene (which is a derivative of Cooked Tomatoes) is beneficial in the prevention of Prostate Cancer. There are some interesting studies on the web comparing men with prostate cancer divided into two groups - one group using Lycopene, and the other not- for one month prior to surgery. After surgery the lycopene groups’ cancer showed signs of deterioration and fragmentation that the non treated groups’ cancer did not show. Walmart sells Lycopene - 66 mgm capsules for less than 10.00 for a forty five day supply. It can’t hurt , and the findings are very impressive.

Thanks Boxcar for bringing up Lycopene. It is a great stuff found in tomatoes as well as in guava and other fruit.

It is a powerful antioxidant, responsible for reduced risk of prostate cancer, as well as lung, bladder, cervix and skin cancer and other diseases.

Lycopene in tomatoes can be absorbed more efficiently by the body if processed into ketchup, sauce, paste and juice(the temperature changes in processing tomatoes enhance the body’s ability to absorb the lycopene and benefit from it).

So next time you enjoy your spaghetti, make sure you have it with a lot of tomato sauce. You’ll be doing your prostate a big favor :)

1/2 cup spaghetti sauce = approx. 7 tomatoes = plenty of Lycopene

more on lycopene

:cuss:

I’m worried about a sensation behind my balls between the anus and my testicles. It doesn’t hurt but it’s a weird sensation like it’s tightening. Is this due to over-doing the stretching a bit or what?

Anybody have similar experiences?

It feels like my finger is pushing constantly between my anus and testicles.
I posted this on the main members forum and I’m kind of nervous about testicular cancer. I don’t have a small lump or anything but my right testicle is a bit bigger most of the time and at other times my left testicle seems a bit bigger than
my right testicle.

FWIW, I’ve had swollen seminal vessicals for years.

The symptoms are much like cancer, but other than an occassional bit of pain for no reason, it’s harmless.

So even if you do get the symptoms on that list - don’t freak out.

Go see your doctor, yes.

Freak out, no.

Thanks for that Sunshinekid, has anyone out there heard of Lance Armstrong? He has one the Tour De France 4 times in the last 4 years. The Tour De France is the biggest cycle race on the pro cycling calendar. This man had Testicular Cancer at an early age, at the peak in his sport, and not only did he survive Cancer, he won 4 times and is on his way to winning his 5th title this year. Only 4 other guys have acheived this, and they are all Europeans.
He has a book out, could be worth a read…

This bike race goes for 3 weeks in July…

Thanks Sunny….Very informative.

This is not something to be taken lightly….Every guy and gal should get checked regularly….

I recently… last week in fact… went and got checked for testicular cancer…. I found a lump about 2 years ago… but never went and got checked…. it was on my left testicle…. it had gotten bigger over the 2 years….. my doctor did an exam on my testicle then sent me for an ultrasound…. turned out to be a cyst. I had prepared myself for having cancer… and today… driving down the road….. i felt such a huge relief of knowing….. i was worried about nothing….. go get checked….. it is one of the most treatable forms of cancer…. if caught early…. if not caught early…. it can go to the lymphnodes and then onto the lungs… brain… etc. I’m in college for Radiology…. and heard all about it… but still never went and got checked….. don’t be stubborn like me….. please go get checked…. I hope this has helped somone! (I’m a new PE’er…. hope to gain 1 1/2”…. some girth….) Wish you all luck!!! - T

Hey smith,

Congratulations on the good results. What a relief indeed! I can imagine how you feel. It’s funny how we take our health for granted and appreciate it only when something like this happens.

Welcome to Thunder’s Place.

Perhaps you’d consider posting in one of the more active forums, to share your PE experience?

With no symptom other than a psa result that jumped in one year I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. It never got higher than 3.8. Had the whole thing removed and fortunately it had never spread beyond the prostate. I’m cancer free now. Unfortunately after the surgery I’m shorter by about an inch to an inch and a half. Now I have to regain that length and more.