November is Men’s Health Awareness Month
Signs and Symptoms
Testicular and prostate cancer.
While it is important to understand symptoms, please do not panic if noticing any of the signs described as these could be caused by other conditions. Rather, visit your GP or specialist when noticing the symptoms – DO NOT delay the visit as if you do have cancer, early detection can lead to an encouraging prognosis.
And please make the time for regular check-ups with your GP.
Testicular cancer
According to CANSA, the most common cancer signs and symptoms in the testicles and scrotum include:
- Lumps or masses
- Pain
- Uncomfortable feeling in the testicles
- Presence of a painless lump, which can be as small as a grain of rice
- An enlarged or swollen testicle
- Significant shrinkage of a testicle
- Any change in the consistency of a testicle
- A heavy or dull ache feeling in the back, lower abdomen, groin or scrotum
- Any painless lump not responding to antibiotic treatment
If the cancer has already spread to the lungs, you may experience problems such as shortness of breath, chest pain, or coughing.
Regular self-examination is very important but again, regular check-ups with your GP plays a vital role in detecting cancer early.
Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is the leading cancer in men, both in South Africa and globally. In fact, CANSA estimates that 1 in 18 South African men will develop prostate cancer.
Unlike testicular cancer, the problem with prostate cancer is that one may not experience symptoms in the early stages. Also, self-examination is not really feasible.
Later, the following symptoms may occur:
- Frequent passing of urine, especially at night
- Difficulty starting or stopping urination
- Weak or interrupted urinary stream
- Painful or burning sensation during urination or ejaculation
- Blood in urine.
As symptoms are seldom felt for prostate cancer, regular check-ups by your GP becomes an essential part of men’s health and well-being.
SCP’s Dr Jean de Villiers believes that men are notorious for living with undiagnosed symptoms – often for months – without seeking a professional diagnosis.
“There’s plenty of time for golf and business – that is, if you stay healthy. We must understand that it’s not just about us but the impact that a late diagnosis can have on the people that we care for, and who care deeply about us. Make the time to visit your GP or specialist for regular check-ups, and don’t delay if you experience any symptoms”.
References:
For more information on prostate and testicular cancer, please visit the following CANSA links:
While information supplied in this article is contemporary and referenced from a credible subject matter source, SCP accepts no responsibility for viewer misinterpretation or any later research findings which may emerge in the future. This article serves only to create an awareness around the possible symptoms and signs of these diseases, and does not replace the need for professional medical advice from the viewer’s GP or specialist.
