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Testicular Cancer
According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), “testicular cancer although rare it affects 1% of all males but it is most common in Caucasian males between the ages of 20-39”(U.S National Institute of Health). The causes for this type of cancer are currently unknown however some factors tend to place a male at risk in developing this type of cancer. These factors arefamily history of testicular cancer, congenital abnormalities and also cryptorchidism or also known as having undecided testicles (Mayo Clinic). Like most things history of any disease increases thelikelihood that a person will develop the disease/condition, in this case testicular cancer risks increase if a brother or a father has had the disease. Men who are born with any abnormalities to thedirect reproductive organ or area surrounding it may be at increased risk of developing testicular cancer (U.S National Library of Medicine). According to the National Cancer Institute, a person whohas an undecided testicle has increased risks of developing cancer and “risks do not decrease after surgery to descend the testicle to the scrotum” (NCI).
Testicular cancer similar to breast cancercan sometimes be detected by self-routine checks, or by a physician at a regular physical examination. Early detection with any cancer increases the likelihood survival (NCI), thus if any of thefollowing are found it is recommended to see a physician. Symptoms and signs include: detection of a lump or swelling in a testicle, dull aches in the lower abdomen, back or groin, the feeling ofheaviness in the scrotum, or testicle(s), as well as any discomfort in a testicle or groin area that is persistent (U.S National Institute of Health). There are various ways of diagnosing testicular cancer,such as blood tests, ultrasounds, and biopsies. For examples blood tests can be done to “measure the levels of tumor markers… Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), Beta-Human Chronic Gonadotropin (βHCG) and...