Breast Cancer in Women

Breast Cancer Facts
The emotional trauma brought about by skin cancer among women brings to light the importance of awareness of what breast cancer really is. Unknown to many, breast cancer is a single disease but a collection of diseases that originates in the ducts and lobules of the female breast. According the American Cancer Society study of 2007, breast cancer ranks next to non-melanoma skin cancer as the most prevalent cancer in women. It is estimated that about 178,000 women each year are affected with the disease with approximately 40,500 probable fatalities.
In 2006, another major ACS study indicated that the number of new breast cancer cases have immensely dropped from the levels reached in 2002 and 2003. This leveling off of new cases has a profound impact as there was a twenty-year continuous rise in the number of new cases. Medical advancement and social awareness contributed to the decrease.
In addition to this, the five year survival rate for localized breast cancer has risen to almost a hundred percent in recent years. For cancer cases that have spread to nearby tissues, the survival rate is at eighty three percent. However, those with later stage breast cancer have a survival rate of only twenty percent. Overall, the survival rate for all stage of breast cancer is eighty percent for a five year period and eighty percent for ten years.

Breast Cancer Treatment
The treatment of cancer generally involves surgical removal of the tumor or the entire breast. This may be followed by an accompanying therapy to eliminate any trace of breast cancer cells in the body.
Mastectomy and breast-sparring surgery are two ways of performing removal of the tumor. During these procedures, a full lymph node or sentinel lymph node dissection is also done to check if the cancer has spread to the nearby lymph nodes.
Depending on the stage of the cancer, procedures such as radiation therapy, hormonal therapy and chemotherapy may be done to fully rid the body of cancer cells. Radiation therapy is done using a machine to target a certain area around the breast and killing trace abnormal cells which are left behind after surgery. Breast cancer chemotherapy follows the same principle but to a larger extent. It involves the entire body and is usually administered to prevent metastasis or recurrence to happen. It can be taken orally or intravenously depending on the patient’s arrangement with her physician.
Hormonal therapy, for its part, is used in cases where the cancer cells have hormone positive receptors. Drugs are used to cut off the supply of estrogen or progesterone to the cancer cells stopping its growth and spread to other areas in the body.

Breast Cancer Staging
As mentioned earlier, staging dictates the kind of treatment necessary for a certain cancer case. Cancer staging is typically grouped into five stages. Carcinoma in situ or Stage 0 is when the cancer is just starting to develop and has yet to reach other tissues and organs. Stage 1 happens when the cancer has formed a mass smaller than 2 centimeters. In this stage, the cancer has yet to affect neighboring lymph nodes. Stage 2 is when the cancer is about 2-5 centimeters and has not yet affected the underarm lymph nodes. Stage 3 happens when the cancer has affected the underarm lymph nodes and measures more than 5 centimeters. In Stage 4, other organs such as the lungs and liver are already affected by the disease. At this stage, the cancer may have already spread throughout the breast or may have affected the other breast.

Risks Factors and Symptoms
Make note that the hormone, estrogen, plays a key role in the development of the cancer. Some breast cancer cells have estrogen receptors that facilitate their growth and progression. Even when a woman is already in menopause, the other parts of her body produces the hormone androgen that is converted into fatty deposits and ultimately estrogen. This is the main reason why women with more fat are at higher risk for breast cancer.
More than ever, new and improved breast cancer treatment methods have helped more women fight the illness and live longer, more meaningful lives. However, sometimes cancer can recur even with the removal of tumor and affected lymph nodes. This is the reason why breast cancer survivors are generally advised to continue having regular consultation with their physician.
A patient may experience complications or side effects brought about by treatment. Radiation therapy, for example, may cause temporary aches, pains and swelling of the breast area. It is best to ask your doctor about these complications so you would be ready for their occurrence.
Here are some conditions that help us know when to contact your physician. If you notice a presence of a lump in the breast or armpit, if you are above forty and have not had a mammogram the previous year, if you are above thirty-five with an immediate relative who had breast, ovarian or colon cancer, and finally, if you are unsure about your health condition and want to learn how to perform self-examination of the breast.
In closing, your best ally against breast cancer is yourself. Awareness of the risk factor and breast cancer signs and symptoms is your best prevention against this unwelcome illness.

General Information on Breast Cancer

Breast cancer has been one of the leading health concerns for women. For over 3,600 years the cancer has affected the lives of women in immeasurable ways. According to the Edwin Smith papyrus, awareness of breast cancer has been well established since 1600 BC in Egypt, thus making it the oldest form of cancer known to humans. “There is no treatment”, this is what early Egyptian physicians writes about breast cancer according to the papyrus and for centuries this has been the attitude displayed by both health practitioners and patients.

What are the Causes of Breast Cancer?

About one in eight women will be diagnosed with this cancer in a lifetime. There are several risk factors which are part of our lives that we could not change. This includes aging, familial history, genetics and menstrual cycle.

The risk of getting breast cancer becomes higher as a person ages. Advanced breast cancer stages are commonly found in women fifty years old and above. About thirty percent of women who have breast cancer have a family history of breast, ovarian, uterine or ovarian cancer.

Some people have gene defects that make them more susceptible to acquiring the disease. This includes defects commonly found in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Women with these gene defects have an eighty percent chance of getting breast cancer. Those who have started menstruation before the age of twelve or went through menopause after the age of fifty-five have higher breast cancer risk.

Women who never had children or gave birth only after the age of thirty also have an increased risk for breast cancer.

Other risk factors include alcohol consumption, obesity, hormone replacement therapy to avert menopause, the use of the drug diethylstilbestrol (DES) to prevent miscarriage, and radiation.

Curiously, there is no evidence linking the use of breast implants, antiperspirants, pesticides and underwire bras in raising cancer risks.

What are the Symptoms of Breast Cancer?

Undergoing regular breast examination is important in detecting cancerous growths because in early stages, breast cancer may not manifest any symptom at all. As the cancer develops women may experience one or a combination of the following.

• A painless hard lump with uneven edges in the breast or armpit area.
• Noticeable change in size, shape, feel and texture of the breast and nipple.
• Unusual fluids, such as pus, coming out of the nipple.

For women who are in advanced breast cancer stages, symptoms may include bone pain, pain and discomfort in the breast area, skin ulcers in the breast or underarm, weight loss, and swelling of one arm.

How to Prevent Breast Cancer?

Since some risk factors are uncontrollable, awareness is the most important step in fighting the disease.  In general, having a healthy diet and lifestyle reduces a person’s chance of getting cancer. Early detection of the cancer raises the cure rate and thus, breast self-examination (BSE), clinical breast examination and screening mammography are highly recommended.

Experts advise BSE once a month for women over twenty. The test should be done a week after their menstruation. For those between the ages of twenty to thirty-nine, clinical examination should be done every three years.

Women above the age of forty are generally advised to undergo a complete breast examination and mammography once a year. Breast MRI should also be done for women who are have higher breast cancer risk factors.

Certain drugs, such as Tamoxifen, are approved by the USDA for cancer prevention in women aged thirty-five or older. Preventive prophylactic mastectomy, or the surgical removal of the breast, is advised for those who already had one breast removed and for those who are identified to have genetic mutations that raise tumor risks.

What exams and tests are involved in the detection of breast cancer?

Your doctor will gather information of your symptoms and risk factors. A thorough physical examination, which includes the breast, armpit, chest and neck, would then be performed to check for possible tumor growths.

To confirm the diagnosis additional test may be performed, this includes mammography, breast MRI, CT scan and PET scan, to identify the size, shape and location of the breast lump. Breast ultrasound is also done to check if the lump is solid or is filled with fluids. Needle aspiration and sentinel lymph node biopsy is done for further laboratory examination of a breast lump and adjacent lymph nodes.

How do we classify breast cancer?

After positive diagnosis of breast cancer, further test will be done in order to check the extent of the cancer. This is called breast cancer staging. This helps doctors identify the treatment methods necessary and to give the patient a prognosis.

Breast cancer stages ranges from zero to four. When a cancer has not yet spread, it is called ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). The cancer may be noninvasive or invasive depending of the advancement of cancer.

A combination of treatments is commonly received by women and this differs on the stage of the cancer. In stage one, the goal to eliminate the cancer and prevent its spread to other tissues and organs of the body. For women with stage four breast cancers, the treatment is aimed at prolonging the life span of the patient as the cancer in stage four cannot be treated.

How is breast cancer treated?

The treatment of breast cancer depends on the type and stage of the cancer and its sensitivity to certain hormones. The cancer is also monitored for overproduction of the HER2 gene.

The general breast cancer treatments include chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. Surgical removal of cancerous tissues is also done to effectively remove breast lumps. Surgery may be in form of removal of breast lumps (lumpectomy) or removal of the entire breast and nearby structures (mastectomy). Radiation therapy is the use of high energy x-rays to destroy cancerous tissues.

Treatments such as hormonal therapy and targeted therapy may also be done in order to avert possible metastasis and to stop certain hormones from fueling cancer growth. Some samples of hormonal therapy include drugs such as Tamoxifen and Exemestane which are used to block the effects of estrogen and reduce cancer development. Drugs such as Herceptin plus trastuzumab may be used as a form of targeted therapy in women with stage IV HER2 positive breast cancer.

What to expect after treatment?

There are a number of medical advancements that makes it possible for patients to live longer, more active lives after cancer treatment. Still, we cannot help but stress the importance of early detection. In the American Cancer Society’s study, the five year survival rate for stage zero and one cancer is at a high of a hundred percent and this goes down to at least twenty percent for stage four. Visit your physician and find out more about breast cancer and learn how breast self examination is done.

Ovarian Cancer Symptoms

A cancer occurs when some of the cells in the body tissue started multiplying abnormally. These cells destroy all the normal cells which come in their contact, and start expanding exponentially. That is the reason why it is a given that every single organ in the body is vulnerable to such abnormal growths of cancerous cells. These cells can also start growing abnormally in the ovary, leading to ovarian cancer.

So it is absolutely necessary that you know about the different symptoms, which may portend the presence of ovarian cancer cells. Some of these potential early ovarian cancer signscan also be symptomatic of some other problem like an ovarian cyst or some other infection in the stomach and pelvic area. That is why you need to make sure that you do not disregard any of the symptoms, because they can be symptomatic of some potentially dangerous disease.

Have you been feeling lethargic, while your stomach feels bloated or distended? Have you noticed some sort of abnormal bleeding, especially when you are postmenopausal? Do you feel pain during intercourse? Do you feel nausea? Is there a heavy sort of feeling in the pelvic region and have you suddenly gained or lost a lot of weight in the past couple of weeks? These are some of the symptoms which need to be checked out by the doctor so that he can diagnose whether you are suffering from ovarian cancer. He is going to do a pelvic examination or might ask for an ovarian biopsy. This would mean that a number of cells from the supposedly cancerous site are going to be taken and then sent for a histopathological test. This is going to confirm or deny the presence of cancerous tissue.

That is the reason why it is extremely essential that you go to a doctor and tell him all about the suspicions of ovarian cancer in the form of these aforesaid silent symptoms. Not only is he going to give you a thorough physical checkup, but also he is going to recommend the best treatment for ovarian cancer. Remember ovarian cancer can be cured in the first stages. Like any other cancer, it responds positively to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. It is only when it reaches the state of metastasis or spreading to other parts of the body, that the doctors are going to recommend debulking surgery or hysterectomy. A hysterectomy means that the uterus is removed. In extreme cases, you may find other portions of your productive organs like the fallopian tubes and ovaries being removed through surgery, but that is only when doctors decide that the surgery is/was necessary to prevent the cancer from spreading to other portions of the body.

Breast Cancer Symptoms in Men

There is a common misconception that men cannot have breast cancer. Men often ignore the symptoms of breast cancer or mistook them for other illnesses. Factors such as social stigma and embarrassment contribute to the increasing denial among men of the possibility of getting breast cancer.

Breast cancer Statistics

The latest American Cancer Society estimates for male breast cancer shows that in 2009 about 1,910 cases will be diagnosed with about 440 fatalities.  Approximately one percent of all breast cancer cases affect men. The lifetime risk for developing breast cancer is at about one in a thousand. Recent studies also shows that the prognosis for breast cancer for both men and women remains the same and the outlook is still hinged on what stage the cancer was diagnosed.

As in any other cancer, early detection and treatment is vital to one’s survival. Thus, men are encouraged to be more aware of the cancer’s signs and symptoms. Educating males in combating the social stigma brought about by breast cancer also assist in helping men against breast cancer.

Detecting breast cancer in men

Knowledge and awareness on the signs and symptoms of breast cancer are very valuable in delivering the earliest possible detection and treatment for men with breast cancer. Here are some of the symptoms associated with this type of cancer.

1. Painless development of lump or thickening of the breast
2. Scaling and redness of the nipple and surrounding area
3. Indentation or retraction in the nipple area
4. Bloody or clear nipple discharge

Risk Factors

There are several factors that increase the risk of men getting breast cancer. Some of which like genetics and age are uncontrollable. However, some risk factors such as poor diet, alcohol consumption and smoking can be controlled, so it best to learn what we need to avoid. Below is a list of breast cancer risk factors in men.

1. The average age of male breast cancer diagnosis is sixty-seven and breast cancer commonly occurs in men between the ages of sixty and seventy.
2. One in five men with breast cancer had a female relative who had breast cancer too.
3. Those who have undergone prior radiation treatment on the chest area have a greater likelihood for breast cancer.
4. About five to ten percent of male breast cancers are inherited. Genetic defects on the CHEK-2, p53 tumor suppressor, BRCA2 and BRCA1 genes increases a person’s cancer risk.  These genes usually help prevent cancer by keeping cells from growing abnormally.
5. Those who had a history of Klinefelter syndrome, a congenital abnormality wherein males had an extra X chromosome resulting to lower levels of male hormones and increased female hormones.
6. Those who had taken estrogen-related drugs have a higher risk for breast cancer. Breast cancer cells are known to have estrogen receptors which improve the cancer’s ability to progress.
7. Those who had liver diseases are also at risk as the body’s estrogen activity increases while the androgen activity reduces when a person is experiencing liver diseases, such as cirrhosis of the liver.
8. Those who are obese may also be at risk for male breast cancer due to increased number of fat cells. Fat cells produce estrogen from androgen, thus increasing the estrogen concentration in the body.

1. Excessive alcohol drinking also promotes breast cancer in men mainly due to the fact that alcohol consumption increases liver diseases and fat accumulation.

Treatment options for breast cancer in men

There are a number of treatment methods available for men with breast cancer. These methods do not differ from those done for women. Cancer staging is done to determine the best breast cancer treatment option a patient needs. Here are some of the treatment options available.

1. Surgery

There are several surgical options used to remove breast cancer in men these include simple mastectomy, modified radical mastectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy.  Simple mastectomy involves removal of all breast tissue including lobules, ducts, fatty tissue and skin including the nipple and areola.

In a modified radical mastectomy, the surgeon removes the entire breast and a portion of the underarm lymph nodes. The surgeon may also remove chest wall muscle if the cancer has spread to that area.  The lymph nodes will be examined to check if the cancer has spread and additional treatment is necessary.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy is a procedure developed to locate sentinel nodes, lymph nodes receiving drainage from a breast tumor. Sentinel nodes are removed for biopsy to check for cancer development to the other lymph nodes. This procedure decreases the risk of complications as removal of a single node is necessary for examination.

2. Radiation Therapy

High energy x-rays are used to kill cancer cells during a radiation therapy. Administered by a radiation oncologist, the therapy is commonly done before surgery to shrink the tumor or after surgery to eliminate remaining cancer cells.  Radiation therapy is often painless but may result in tiredness in men who had undergone therapy and tenderness of the breast.

3. Chemotherapy
4. Hormone Therapy
5. Biological Therapy

Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs to kill cancer cells that have spread to other parts of the body after breast cancer surgery. The treatment is usually scheduled every two to three weeks after surgery for about three to six months.

Chemotherapy may be administered intravenously or in pill form. Most patients choose oral chemotherapy as this reduces the need to visit the clinic and can be done at home.

Some chemotherapies target the cancer itself reducing damage to healthy cells. Still, side affects like hair loss, fatigue, vomiting and loss of cognitive abilities may occur.

Estrogen receptor positive breast cancers rely on estrogen to induce the development of breast cancer cells. Hormone therapy is administered in order to prevent estrogen from bonding to sites in the body where cancer cells may have spread. The male hormone, androgen also helps in the growth of cancer cells. Thus, limiting both estrogen and androgen levels are essential in abating the spread of cancer cells.

In biological therapy, a biological response modifier is used to stimulate the body’s immune system to combat cancer. This helps in enhancing the body’s natural defense against specific diseases such as breast cancer. However, biological therapy is still in clinic trials.

One of the reasons why more and more women are getting knowledge about ovarian cancer is because they have finally understood that the Silent Killer is more prevalent than was thought of before. In fact, recent statistics show that one out of every 55 women in the US is suffering from ovarian cancer. 1/70 women all over the world have also been diagnosed with suffering from this cancer in its initial or final stages.   The main problem is that being known as the silent killer is the reason why so many women do not know that they are suffering from ovarian cancer, they are not able to identify the Ovarian Cancer Symptoms that are detected in the very early stages.

Here are some of the symptoms, which may manifest themselves all alone or in conjunction with other symptoms. One need not reiterate the fact that it is absolutely necessary that you need to consult a doctor if any of these early potential ovarian cancer symptoms persist for more than a week. Ovarian cancer like any other cancer can be cured in the initial stages. It is only in the final stages, when it has reached the metastasis stage of spreading to other parts of the body, that the chances of survival are reduced proportionately. That is the reason why one needs to be on the lookout for these particular symptoms.

• Do you feel lethargic and a feeling of occasional nausea?
• Do you find a feeling of heaviness in the solar plexus, abdomen, and in the pelvic area?
• Have you noticed some irregular bleeding, apart from normal menstrual bleeding?
• Is the menstrual bleeding abnormally heavy and has been going on for too long a period?
• Have you suddenly found yourself losing weight or gaining weight drastically during the past couple of weeks?
• Have you begun feeling pain during intercourse?

These are just some of the symptoms of prospective ovarian cancer, and it is absolutely necessary that you go to a doctor and tell her about the symptoms. She is going to take an ovarian biopsy, and/or is going to do a pelvic examination. It is only then that she can diagnose the presence of the disease, the extent of its spread, and then prescribe adequate medication to stem the future expansion of the cancerous cells.

Surgery in the shape of hysterectomy or the removal of the uterus is going to be done only when it is necessary and to prevent further metastasis. Otherwise, doctors go in for a debulking surgery. This means that a large part of the tumor is removed during surgery. This is going to improve the chances of survival.

Portions of the tumor are going to be sent for a histopathological examination to confirm the presence of ovarian surgery. But one definitely does not want to allow the cancer to reach that stage, does one? That is the reason why it is extremely essential that you go and see a doctor as soon as possible, the moment you see any of these possible ovarian cancer symptomsgiven above manifesting themselves. Listen to your body “talk”, and follow the signs.

If you have not heard about the silent killer, it is time that you know about it now. Ovarian cancer is one of the most common of cancers, which is usually detected in its metastasis stage. That is why it is absolutely necessary that you look for the early signs of ovarian cancer. Many patients disregard the silent early cancer symptoms , which keep telling them that there was something wrong with the ovaries.

These are just some of the symptoms, which may presage the onset of Ovarian cancer. That is the reason why it is absolutely necessary that you get the advice of a doctor, the moment one or more of the symptoms show up.

One has to understand that ovarian cancer does not manifest itself painfully in the initial stages. That is the reason why many women disregard the symptoms of ovarian cancer. You may not know it, but one out of 55 women suffers from ovarian cancer in the US. That is the reason why, it is absolutely necessary that you know about the symptoms, which may foretell the presence of ovarian cancer, an ovarian cyst or even an infection in the ovary. So, if you find any of the symptoms given above, persisting for more than a couple of weeks, it is absolutely necessary that you meet your gynecologist/doctor as soon as possible.

One needs to understand that ovarian cancer can be cured in the initial stages. The treatments which are recommended during this time are chemotherapy and radiotherapy. It is only when it is in the metastasis stage (it has spread throughout the body), that the doctors may want to go in for surgery. A hysterectomy is done, only in extreme cases, when the whole uterus is removed. This is the case with the Ovarian cancer has reached a state of metastasis and has spread to other organs. That is the reason why it is absolutely necessary that you go to the doctor, the moment you notice some/any of the symptoms of possible ovarian cancer given above.

The treatment for ovarian cancer is chemotherapy, in which drugs are given to kill the cancerous cells. It might be followed up with radiotherapy, where those cells are exposed to high energy radiations. A hysterectomy depends upon the grade as well as the stage of the metastasis, the overall physical and mental condition of the patient and her age.

Symptoms of Skin Cancer

There are a number of skin afflictions that may happen to an individual in an entire lifespan. However, none is more serious than the advent of skin cancer. Skin cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer among humans. It was appraised that about 1 in 10 people will develop malignancy at least once in a lifetime.

Despite these facts, skin cancer is easily detectable mainly because it manifests itself at the skin exterior. Knowing how to distinguish between typical skin disorders and cancers is essential in enhancing one’s value of life.

What does skin cancer look like? Medically speaking, there are three major skin cancer conditions and each one has its own set of symptoms.

Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)

Basal cell carcinoma cases make up about 80% of all skin cancers. It frequently appears on sun-exposed areas of the skin. On limited occasions, it may develop even on areas that are usually shielded from sunlight. BCC may present itself in different forms.

1. Open sore that intermittently bleeds and heals.

2. Translucent growth with rolled pigmented edges and visible small blood vessels

3. Hard flat lesions or slight depressions with indistinct edges that may be yellow or white in color

4. Skin or yellow colored waxy scar

5. Small clusters of shiny red or pink lesions that easily bleed and are scaly.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)

Squamous cell carcinoma or SCC incidence make up about 16% of skin cancer in the U.S. Areas of the body that are openly exposed to the sun’s rays are commonly affected. This includes the face, neck, ears, scalp, arms and hands.

Signs of Squamous Cell Carcinoma includes: scaly portions on the skin with a red inflamed base, non-healing bump or coagulated skin on the lower lip, plaque or wart-like enlargements, non-healing sore, and red scaly bumps or patches.

Squamous cell carcinoma has the propensity to advance to other organs and if left untreated it can be fatal. The tumor tends to develop into large masses. If the patient has a weak immune system and the tumor begin on the lip or ear it can spread to the internal organs or lymph nodes.

Melanoma

Melanoma is the least common among the skin cancer but is the most serious type. Only 4% diagnosed skin cancer of this type has been reported. Melanoma skin cancer should be diagnosed early while the cure rate is about 95%.

It is typically found on the buttocks, legs, back, scalp, neck and behind the ears. However it can exist anywhere on the body like the soles, palms, mouth, genitalia and under the nails.

Signs and Symptoms of Melanoma

When a pre-existing mole begins to change its appearance a melanoma might develop. It is significant to be familiar with the moles on your body because 20% to 40% of melanoma arises from a typical mole.

Doctors recommended ABCDE’s of melanoma detection are: A – Asymmetrical. B – Borders irregular. C – Color varies. D – Diameter greater tan 6mm. E – Evolving.

Take good care of your skin. Consult your doctor immediately if you notice sudden alterations on its appearance.

How to Examine Your Testicles for Testicular Cancer

Did you know that performing a monthly testicular examine is one of the best ways to identify the early symptoms of testicular cancer?   Here are some tips you should know when you start examining your testicles.  Both of the testicle eggs, should be similar in size and hanging height. If you think one of them is significantly lower, it is it possibly the result of a long-standing undetected infection, not cancer.

When you are touching the top of the testicle, you’ll will feel the appendage testis – a thin funicle. If you can easily find it, you can just let it go – anything attached to appendage or free lying next to it, almost certainly benign (unfortunately, this cannot be said about the entities associated with the testicle). Inside the appendage there is a tortuous duct, which connects the top of the testicle with a thick sperm duct.

If you find any sign of unusual swelling, odd bumps or other abnormalities that you might be worried about you can conduct a simple diagnostic test. Go into a dark room and place a lamp behind your scrotum and turn it on.  Be very careful not to place the lamp too close to your scrotum because you will burn you nuts.  Then if the light easily passes through it, the tumor, most likely filled with liquid – a symptom typical of harmless hydropsy testicle cyst or seed funicle.  Regardless you should still visit a doctor to have it looked at closer.

Testicular Cancer is a very rare disease and very few testicles have malignant tumors but it is always best to have the doctor carefully examine your testicles and to ensure that any abnormal lumps are tested for possible cancer. Fortunately, an experienced urologist can diagnose the majority of the benign lumps upon closer inspection at their office.

In most cases, the doctor will ask for you to expose the scrotum in order to touch them and make a more detailed examination of testicles. At the very worst case, if they still feel you might have testicular cancer, then the doctor may remove a testicle. In most cases of suspected testicular cancer, the doctors will not perform a biopsy because there is a greater chance in spreading the malignant cells to the other testicle.

A common testicular cancer symptom is a pain and a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum.  In addition, almost all cases of testicles cancer start with a small and painless lump (tumor).

Colon cancer is a disease characterized by the uncontrolled division of abnormal cells in the colon and the formation of tumors from these cells. Despite the presence of polyps in the human large intestine, presentation of colon cancer symptoms at an early stage is very low. In some cases, it may not even manifest symptoms.  Today, colon cancer is the second leading malignancy in the United States and the fourth worldwide. The combination of these facts gives rise to the importance of colorectal screening methods aimed at determining early stages of colorectal cancer.

There are a number of screening methods available for colon cancer detection. These tests are done alone or in combination with other tests in order to distinguish colon cancer from other intestinal diseases. Hereunder is a list of these screening and detection procedures.

Digital Rectal Examination

A routine part of physical examination, digital rectal examination (DRE) examines the lower portion of the rectum for tumor and polyp growth. This test is done using a lubricated gloved finger inserted inside the rectum to feel for anomalous growths. This test is also capable in ascertaining prostate cancer in men.

Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT)

The American Cancer Society recommends FOBT to be done yearly in combination with sigmoidoscopy. FOBT is statistically noted as being 24% effective in finding colorectal cancer by itself. There are currently two types of fecal occult blood test, these are the Guaiac FOBT and the Immunochemical FOBT. The Guaiac FOBT utilizes the chemical, guaiac, to detect the presence blood protein hemoglobin in fecal samples by checking for traces of Heme. Heme is an iron-containing component of hemoglobin. Immunochemical FOBT uses antibodies to check stools for human hemoglobin. According to studies, FOBT when performed annually reduces colorectal deaths by about 15 – 35%.

Sigmoidoscopy

Sigmoidoscopy is a test wherein a lighted instrument, the sigmoidoscope, is inserted into the rectum and lower colon to examine the area. Precancerous, cancerous and other abnormal growths can be detected during this test, and these growths can be removed and biopsied. Statistics show that when done in conjunction with FOBT, the sigmoidoscopy helps in detecting about 76% of colon tumor growths among individuals in the 50s-80s age range.

Colonoscopy

A colonoscope is a lighted instrument used to examine the colon and rectal area for abnormal growths. During a colonoscopy, abnormal polyps or growths can be traced, removed and biopsied. Colonoscopy can examine areas missed by a sigmoidoscope mainly due to its longer reach. Before colonscopy is performed a thorough cleansing of the colon is carried out and patients are sedated.

Double Contract Barium Enema (DCBE)

In DCBE, air is introduced into the colon and the patient is given an enema filled with barium solution to help outline the colon for an array of x-rays. In conjunction with colonoscopy, DCBE helps in detecting about 30-50 percent of colorectal cancer cases. However, DCBE may miss smaller polyps according to research.

Computerized Tomographic Colonoscopy

As called Virtual Colonoscopy, the test is accomplished with the use of a special x-ray equipment to generate photographs of the colon and rectum at different angles. These photographs are then assembled by a computer to produces an image detailing the large intestine and showing polyp growth and other abnormalities. Like standard colonoscopy, it is necessary to perform a thorough cleansing of the colon. However, since this test is less invasive, it is less discomforting and does not require sedation.

Despite the presence of these tests, it was reported that about 44% of adults within the 50s-80s age group have undergone routine screening raising colorectal cancer incidence. Let us not be afraid to undergo cancer screening, we must realize that early detection is tantamount to survival from cancer.

For further reading about colon cancer detection, treatments, and symptoms read some of material that I have published

Many people do not understand that there is a very strong chance they are suffering from ovarian cancer and do no even know it. This is because it is one of the most common cancers out there. One out of 55 women in the US suffer from ovarian cancer and a large number of them are in the metastatic stage. Completely unaware of the silent symptoms of ovarian cancer. Yes, there are many people who are under the impression that cancer must display as some type of dull pain but you may be surprised to know that many women do not recognize the symptoms of cancer in its initial stages.

Remember that if the symptoms last more than 3 weeks, it is absolutely essential that you go and see a doctor immediately. Cancer, when caught at the very earliest stages, can be cured and treated. Most of the time treatment ,in the initial stages, is very successful. And that is the reason why it is absolutely necessary that you recognize these symptoms:

· Have you been suffering from unusual vaginal bleeding, at times which have nothing to do with your menstrual cycle?

· Are you suffering from nausea and bloating?

· Do you feel pain after and during sexual intercourse?

· Is there heaviness in your abdominal region and the pelvic region?

· Is there an unexplained weight loss or weight gain in the past couple of weeks?

· Do you feel the necessity to urinate quite often?

Any or all of these symptoms or potential ovarian cancer signs may either be due to some infection in the ovaries or in a worst case scenario, the manifestation of ovarian cancer. Go to your doctor immediately, and tell her all about these symptoms. She is going to do an ovarian biopsy, if necessary, which means that she is going to take some ovarian cells and test them for the presence of cancerous cells. It is only after that she can tell you about the presence of ovarian cancer, the stage it is in, the extent to which it has spread (metastasis) and the medicines that she is going to recommend to check the cancerous growth and hopefully, cure you.

You would want to know about some of the risk factors, which can increase your chances of suffering from ovarian cancer. If there is a history of this cancer in the family, it is necessary that you look out for the symptoms. Apart from that, if you are suffering from ovarian cysts, you may have a greater chance of being vulnerable to ovarian cancer. These are just some of the risk factors, which may presage the presence of ovarian cancer.

On the other hand, there are some actions which are going to lower your chances of suffering from ovarian cancer. One of them is Dysmenorrhea, where you are going to suffer from severe pain in the uterus during your periods. Being the mother of twins or more than one children in one birth is also one factor, which is going to reduce the chances of your suffering from cancer of the ovaries.

“Am I suffering from the silent killer?” This is a very scary question that all women need  to ask themselves at one point in their lives.  The reason why this is called the silent killer is because you do not get to know that the cancerous cells have multiplied abnormally in your ovaries to spread to the rest of the body. It is only in the later stages that you get to know that you have become a victim, frightening isn’t it. Nevertheless, you do not have to get dismayed; there are number of symptoms you can identify to help prevent it from advancing to the  later, more deadly stages. This cancer of the ovaries is curable, when it is caught in the 1^st stage. So, if you are one of the 55 women in the USA, showing these particular ovarian cancer symptoms, make an appointment with the doctor immediately.

Symptoms of ovarian cancer

First of all you have to remember that these early symptoms are silent,  You must be aware of your body and these signs because they are not going to manifest themselves in any overt displays of pain. So it is extremely necessary that you keep “in touch” with what your body is telling you.

• Have you noticed a particular heaviness in the solar plexus and pelvic region?
• Have you found a bloody discharge and vaginal bleeding appearing at odd times, apart from the normal bleeding of your menstrual cycle?
• Do you feel nauseous or feel bloated?
• Are you suffering from a lack of appetite and a sense of lethargy?
• Have you gained or lost weight drastically?
• Does your back ache for absolutely no justifiable reason or cause?
• Has your abdomen swollen up, and is there a change in the bowel movements?
• Do you find that intercourse is painful?
• Are you finding difficulty in breathing?

These are some of the questions that you can ask yourself  when you are wondering if there have been any changes to your body that might indicate an early signs of ovarian cancer. It is extremely essential that you go and see a doctor as soon as one or more of these symptoms manifest themselves. In fact, ovarian cancer has a better chance (70 — 80% chance) of being cured by radiotherapy and chemotherapy, if it is caught early. The metastasis or spread of the disease can make the percentage chances of curing ovarian cancer to lower down to about 30%. So it is necessary that you know about the symptoms of possible ovarian cancer and get a doctor’s opinion immediately.

Here are some of the risk factors which you may want to look for, which makes you more vulnerable to ovarian cancer.

• Have you had a long history of ovarian cysts?
• Is there a history of ovarian cancer in the family?
• Are you postmenopausal and still getting ovarian cysts?

These are some of the risk factors, which are going to contribute to your chances of getting ovarian cancer. So it is absolutely necessary to listen to what your body is conveying to you, silently. Recognize the early ovarian cancer signs and symptoms and get a complete check and ovarian biopsy done. It is only then, you can be effectively treated by radiotherapy and chemotherapy, if necessary.

COLON CANCER TREATMENT

The treatment method recommended for colorectal cancer relies mainly on the stage to which the cancer has been detected. Basically there are two groups of treatment schemes that are currently available. These are the standard methods of treatment and the clinical trials.

Standard Colorectal Cancer Treatment

The standard methods for colon cancer treatment are surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.  These treatments are aimed at removing malignant tumor growths and stopping possible recurrence. Let’s try to understand these treatments closely.

Local excision is a surgical procedure used in early stage colon cancer. This is done by putting a tube through the rectum and colon to remove the cancer. It is called polypectomy, when it involves removal of polyps in the intestinal wall.

Resection

Resection is done by cutting the cancer, along with other healthy tissues around it, and rejoining the non-affected parts together. In medical terms, these procedures are individually called colectomy (removal of cancer affected parts) and anastomosis (sewing of healthy parts together). Normally, the surgeon may also remove the lymph nodes around the colon for cancer examination.

Colostomy

The colostomy colon cancer treatment procedure is done in conjunction with resection. A stoma or an opening is created from the colon to the skin for waste material passage when the colon is not in a condition to be sewn back together. A colostomy bag is placed at the opening to collect the waste materials. It may be constant or temporary if the lower part of the colon heals.

Other surgical procedures

A probe equipped with tiny electrodes aimed at killing cancer cells is used in radiofrequency ablation. In this treatment, the probe is inserted into the colon through an incision on the skin and only local anesthesia may be needed. Although in some more advance cases general anesthesia may be needed.

Sometimes referred to as Cryotheraphy, Cryosurgery is done with the use of an instrument to target, freeze and destroy abnormal tissues and cancer cells.

Chemotherapy

The use of drugs to halt the division and growth of cancer cells is called Chemotherapy.  It may be injected into a vein or taken orally. The drug is administered directly to an organ in a procedure known as regional chemotherapy and the object to purge the surrounding area of cancer cells. Variations of chemotherapy rely on the kind and stage of the cancer.

Radiation Therapy

In radiation therapy x-rays infused with high amount of energy are used to wipe out cancer cells and halt their division and growth. Radiation therapy may be done both externally and internally. In external radiation therapy, the use of a machine from outside of the body is done to send radiation to the cancers cells. Internal radiation therapy incorporates the use of needles, wires or catheters to precisely target the tumor on the affected area.

In some patients, adjuvant therapy or the use of chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be needed to remove other cancer cells which may be left out from a surgical procedure.

Targeted Therapy (Clinical Trial)

Some other treatments for colon cancer are in their clinical trial stages like the monoclonal antibody therapy which is a form of targeted therapy. This therapy uses antibodies to identify substance which aids in the proliferation of cancerous cells.

We must also learn more about colon cancer post-treatment management to abate the risk of recurrence.

Detection of Common Cancers

There are a hundred individual classes of cancers, each with a separate set of indications and different means of diagnosis. Here is an outline of prevailing cancers, their symptoms, manifestations and what we could do to help in detecting their occurrence.

Ovarian Cancer Detection in Women

Ovarian cancer forms in the tissues of the female ovary. Most cancers of the ovaries are either epithelial carcinoma or germ cell tumors. Symptoms may include pressure in the abdominal area and lower back, abdominal bloating, indigestion, nausea, gas, constipation, diarrhea and tiredness. To determine the occurrence of ovarian cancer screening like pelvic exam, pap test, CA-125 blood test, ultrasound and biopsy are generally undertaken. Medications for ovarian cancer may be in the form of local radiation therapy, surgical excision, or chemotherapy.

Abnormal mutations in the breast cells of the lobules or stromal tissues are the main elements of breast cancer in women.  Breast cancer symptoms may entail mammary gland swelling, skin irritation, nipple pain, upper body pain, nipple discharge, a lump in the underarm area. Women are encouraged to perform monthly breast self examination to check for lumps or other aberrant growth in the underarm or breast area. Test like mammogram, biopsy, blood cell chemistry, blood cell marker test and MRI are some methods to ascertain the existence of breast cancer.

Testicular Cancer in Men

Gonadal tumors are generally discovered by the patients themselves. They may cause swelling of the scrotum, testicular hardening, and breast enlargement. Testicular Self-examination helps in checking for a lump in the testicle. This is done by rolling the fingers against the testicles after bath when the testicles are relaxed. You will be asked by your healthcare provider to undergo physical examination. Ultrasound and serum tumor marker test will also be undertaken to see the extent of the testicular cancer lump and to check for cancer markers. Three types of treatment methods age generally used. These are inguinal orchiectomy, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Prostate Cancer in Men

Prostate cancer symptoms hardly show at early stages. They are commonly diagnosed through PSA blood test. Manifesting itself as a hard nodule on the prostate gland, it presses itself into the urethra causing difficulty in urinating. The tumor obstructs the bladder resulting to enlargement. Doctors normally perform a digital rectal exam by inserting a gloved lubricated finger into the rectum to check to lump buildup in the prostate gland. Surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy are some of the treatment options for cancer of the prostate gland.

Bone Cancer

Fractures, deep nagging bone pain, and bone swelling are some of the manifestation of bone cancer. Magnetic resonance tomography, radioisotope bone scanning, computer tomography and bone are common procedures in bone cancer diagnosis.

Skin Cancer

Skin cancers may be melanoma or non-melanoma. Patients may manifest conditions such as a small pale colored waxy lump, a red firm lump, a crusty sore spot that bleeds, sores that don’t heal, rough scaly skin patches, red or brown colored scaly areas, and other suspicious lumps or sores. Regular skin self –examination is recommended for everyone to perform to look for abnormal skin conditions. A yearly clinical skin examination helps in detecting the cancer. For non-melanoma cancers treatment may be in form of curettage and desiccation, surgical excision of skin cancer moles, radiation therapy, cryosurgery, Mohs micrographic surgery or medical therapy with the use of creams that attack cancer cells.

- Tom Cappetta

Breast cancer awareness needs to be one of the top priorities of a health-conscious woman, because one out of every 10 women in the world is suffering from it. Sad but true. Nevertheless, like any other cancer it can be treated and cured if you catch one of the early symptoms of breast cancer. Let’s discuss what you have to know about the disease and its symptoms to prevent you from dealing with the worst.

Thanks to the Internet more and more people are getting to know more about breast cancer. Breast cancer occurs when the normal cells in the breast tissue start growing abnormally and start destroying the healthy cells around them. This malignant cancerous growth may show up in different symptoms, which need to be recognized by any health-conscious woman.

You may find an unexplained lump in your breast or under the armpit. This lump can be hard or it might be soft and rounded. You may notice that there is some sort of unexplained discharge coming from the nipple. You may also find that the skin is rough, red and scaly. Whatever the symptoms, you need to go and see a doctor immediately. She is going to prescribe a mammogram or an x-ray to look for these unexplained lumps. In extreme cases, the result is going to be breast cancer; in other cases, it can just be a noncancerous cyst or some sort of infection in the breast. Whatever the reasons are, your doctor is going to know everything about how to treat you.

Breast cancer treatments are going to include radiotherapy and chemotherapy. If the spread of the disease (metastasis) has gone to other organs of the body, there may also be a chance of surgery being the last option.

Risk factors

Doctors are still trying to find out the reasons why breast cancer occurs. However you might want to know the risk factors, which may increase chances of your getting breast cancer. Some doctors are looking at the possibility of breast cancer being genetically inherited. If you have some close family members suffering from breast cancer, there is a greater chance of you contracting this disease too.

Younger woman have lesser chances of suffering from breast cancer, when compared to older women. So once you have reached the age of 40, you need to know more about your chances of contracting breast cancer. That is the reason why, you need to keep a lookout for possible breast cancer symptoms given above. Do not hesitate to go to the doctor with your suspicions the moment you think you are suffering from breast cancer.

You might also want to check the usage of hormones, after menopause. There are some hormones like estrogen – testosterone and estrogen progestin, which are quite capable of raising your chances of suffering from possible breast cancer. If your hormones are higher then expected, Your doctor will probably suggest some hormone therapy to help lower these level, which is going to reduce the risk of future breast cancer.

Kylie Minogue was diagnosed with breast cancer, but she has responded positively to treatment. So can you.

Many people are rather surprised that cancer can strike in the testes also. But there are many testicular cancer symptoms that can show up and after all, that integral part of the male reproductive system is made up of tissues, which are found in every part of the body. So one should not be surprised to hear that somebody they know is suffering from testicular cancer. It can strike anybody from the age group of 14 to 40. As only about 8000 patients are diagnosed with testicular cancer annually in the US, and just about 400 of them have died, many people do not bother much about this cancer. After all, it is not life-threatening, they say. But then, just imagine those cancerous cells spreading to other parts of the body, if they are not checked at the very onset. That is definitely going to be life-threatening. So, that is why you need to know about testicular cancer symptoms and more about cancer of the testicle itself.

Doctors and research scientists are still looking into the reasons for testicular cancer. However, one fact is quite clear. This condition is genetic so if you have blood and close relatives suffering from this cancer, there is a chance that you might also suffer from it. Doctors normally look at the testicular cancer symptoms and then do a thorough diagnosis. After that, treatment is going to be recommended in the shape of radiotherapy and chemotherapy to stop the cancerous cells from proceeding any further.

Many people are under the impression that testis of the cancer means that the testicles are going to be removed. That means that it is going to have an adverse affect upon their sexual life. And this is one thing, many men would not subconsciously accept. That is the reason why they disregard the testicular cancer symptoms.

Well, they are not alone in that, because women are afraid to accept that they have breast cancer, because the breasts may have to be removed. Nevertheless, doctors are going to recommend surgery only in extreme cases. That is because just removing the testicle or tissue may not serve the process of healing well. Besides, doctors are much more concerned in saving the testicle, then removing it. And that is why they are going to look for ways and means of protecting the testicle from further harm through chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

So what are you waiting for? If you see any of these symptoms given below, it is extremely necessary that you see your doctor immediately.

• Do you notice some lumpy tissue in your testicles? That means that there is some unexplained growth, which needs to be detected and diagnosed immediately.
• Have you noticed that the size of the testicles have changed from its normal size to either a swelling up or a shrinking?
• Are you suffering from continuous pain in your testicles, the groin area, and the lower part of your tummy and in the upper portions of your legs? That means that the normal tissue activity has changed due to some reason and needs to be checked by your doctor right now.

Testicle cancer is a relatively rare cancer and that is the reason why, a large number of people who may be suffering from this cancer do not get to know about it in the initial stages. That is because they have not noticed any sort of cancer symptoms, which might show up the onset of cancer. People are under the impression that cancer symptoms can be detected by continuous  testicular pain in one particular area. And just because, they are not feeling any sort of pain in the testicle region, according to them, QED. They are definitely not suffering from testicular cancer. Nevertheless, it is a known fact that testicular cancer symptoms may not be painful in the initial stages. So, if you are looking for this particular symptom in the initial stages, you might also want to look for other testicular cancer symptoms, which may give you an inkling that you need to see the doctor immediately.

Now, when one is looking for symptoms of testicle cancer if he is a health-conscious person, he is definitely going to know more about TSE. This is known as the testicle self-examination, and you can either do it at home or your doctor is going to do it for you, once you go in for a physical checkup. The testicles are palpated gently to see if there are any tissue swellings, and lumps, which are unaccounted for.

Some of the testicle cancer symptoms, which may show the onset of testicular cancer appear in the form of mild pain in the lower back, and in the groin region. Some people have the tendency of overlooking the symptoms, because they might consider that pain to be lumbago. Nevertheless, if you are 15 years old up to the age of 39, you might want to look at the reasons for this unprecedented lumbago, especially when it is accompanied with a feeling of heaviness in the groin region and under the solar plexus.

Testicular cancer is definitely not life-threatening, if it is caught in the early stages. Nevertheless about 400 people, out of the 8000 people suffering from testicular cancer die annually, just because they have disregarded the symptoms and have attributed the  testicular pain to other reasons. That is when the cancer cells are going to spread to different parts of the body and one is going to get hard put to check the promulgation of such pernicious malignant cells.

So, if you have lumps and swellings in your testicles, accompanied with mild persistent  testicular pain and heaviness in the groin region, you need to go and see your doctor immediately. Apart from that, you would need to talk to him. These symptoms may be accompanied with the size of the testicles changing and liquid filling in the scrotal sac. Your doctor is going to recommend tests and immediate treatment in the shape of chemotherapy/radiation after he has diagnosed your testicle cancer symptoms.

Definition of Testicular Cancer

Cancer of the Testicle is a malignant germ cell type tumor developing in a male testicle. There are two types of testicular cancer, namely seminomas and nonseminomas. Seminomas account for 40% of testicular cancer occurrence. It is remarkably treatable with radiation therapy. Nonseminomas may exist in the form, or in combination of, teratoma, choriocarcinoma, embryonal carcinoma or yolk sac tumor.

Causes of Testicular Cancer

Cryptorchidism, a condition wherein the testis fails to descend into the scrotum is one of the common risk factor for testicular cancer. The testis can be surgically lowered into the scrotum but the risk for testicular cancer remains.

Another common cause of testicular cancer is Klinefelter’s Syndrome. It is a condition that occurs in males who have an extra X chromosome in the majority of their cells. Some risk factors like HIV, exposure to environmental estrogens have been suggested but have not been scientifically proven.

Incidence of Testicular Cancer

Testicular cancer has become the prevailing solid tumor for adult males with ages ranging from 15-35. Young males between ages 25-35 are commonly afflicted with Teratoma, seminoma usually occurs in males ages 30-40.

General Signs and Symptoms

Usually Testicular Cancer presents itself as a lump on one or both of the testes. However, not all testicular lumps are cancer. Some other symptoms include a dull ache or pain in the groin, back lower abdomen and scrotum area. The scrotum generally increases in size and a feeling of heaviness may be noticeable.

Diagnosing Testicular Cancer

Healthcare providers generally require blood tests to check to tumor markers. Among the tumor markers are beta hCG, alkaline phosphatase, alpha feto protein, and lactate dehydrogenase. Sonography is necessary to identify the growth of a tumor, and differentiate it from a cyst. CT scan on the abdomen, chest and pelvic areas are done to investigate for metastases into other areas.

Treatments Available for Testicular Cancer

Radiation therapy is done to patients exhibiting early stages of seminoma. Surgical removal of the entire affected testicle is usually done to abort further staging of the tumor. When the cancer has spread into the lymph nodes, additional surgical treatment is required. The oncologist will then review the patient for assessment and additional treatment. Chemotherapy is done to remove undetected germ cell from the body and lower the possibility of recurrence.

The type and maturity of testicular cancer determines the amount of subsequent treatment necessary. Medical trials are now being done to raise cure rates which are now at about 90%.

Complications Arising from Testicular Cancer

When not detected at an early stage, testicular cancer may spread into the lymph nodes. First in the abdomen, then progresses into the chest and lung areas. Collateral testis tumor may also occur in combination or after treatment has been undertaken.

Testicular cancer can hide undetected for years. Usually the first, of potentially many, testicular cancer symptoms start off as a painless little lump (mass) on the testicle itself with a slight bit of swelling, which is one of the earliest signs. This is the first sign of a potential issue. There are some more clearly identifiable signs of testicular cancer, these signs can include:

Common Testicular Cancer Symptoms:

* A Painless lump ( this should not be confused with the epididymis)

* Swelling ( with or without a lump)

* Pain( Heavy aching in lower abdomen)

**Cancer is considered an extreme cause for the symptoms listed above. These symptoms are typically caused by infection or injury but it is extemely important it see a doctor immediately if you notice any changes in your testicles. These other conditions could still be serious enough to require treatment

Some types of testicular cancer can cause symptoms in other parts of the body. Germ Cell Tumors is a very common form of testicular cancer often characterized by the production of a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). Production of HCG can cause an increase in the size and sensitivity of a man’s breast. Leydig Cell Tumors are a less common type of testicular cancer which affect the cells which normally make the sex hormones. This type of cancer can produce androgen(male) or estrogen(female) hormones.

Testicular Cancer Exam

Typically, the early symptoms of testicular cancer do not have any pain associated with them. Testicular cancer symptoms are subtle and the early detection is critical for successfull treatment. Testicular Cancer, unlike most cancers, is highly treatable in the early stages. Performing a montly self exam will help you detect abnormalities in your testicals.

Testicular Self Examination
TSE or Testicular Self Examination is a highly recommended way for individuals to check for the occurrence of testicular cancer. The self-exam should be performed monthly after shower when the skin of the scrotum is relaxed. You could perform this by cupping the testicles and checking for any change in sensation from the normal. Next, you place your index and middle finger at one side of your testicle, with the thumb on top. Gently roll each testicle between your thumb and fingers and check for lumps or masses and changes in size, shape or consistency. Normally, one testicle is bigger than the other and both should be smooth and firm.

Diagnosis
Doctor generally evaluates a man’s overall health condition to find out the cause of the symptom. Doctors may also order physical examination, laboratory and diagnostic tests. This test includes blood test to check for tumor markers, sonogram to show the presence or size of a mass, and Biopsy to determine the presence of cancer.

Treatment
Testicular cancer is a highly curable disease. It can be treated with surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Surgery is done by removing the affected testicle. It may also involve removal of lymph nodes in the abdomen, and tumors that may have spread to the other parts of the body.
Radiation Therapy is done by using high energy rays to damage and stop the growth of cancer cells. This is generally advisable for men with seminomas. In chemotherapy, anti-cancer drugs are administered to patients if a doctor suspect undetected cancer cells still remains in the body. Depending on the patient’s general condition, both treatments may be undertaken as an outpatient.

Management
It is extremely important for affected men to undergo follow up check up to avoid recurrence after testicular cancer treatment. The type and stage of the cancer determines the follow up cancer management procedures the patient will have to undergo. With a great number of patients surviving this disease, like Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, men should not be afraid to seek medical help at the first signs of testicular cancer.