Facts and stats on testicular cancer
· Every year over 2,000 young men will be diagnosed with testicular cancer. And sadly, these rates are increasing.
· It occurs at a frequency of 6 new cases per 100,000 males per year.
· It is the most common cancer in young men aged 15-35 years old.
· It is twice as common today as it was 20 years ago.
· Signs and symptoms include a mass in the testicle, a change in the size or texture of the testicle and a heaviness in the scrotum.
· Risk factors include undescended testicle, family history of the disease, mumps or repeated testicle trauma.
· There are several different types of testicular cancer: the most common types are seminomas and teratomas. The latter is more common in teenagers.
· A teratoma grows from a type of cell called a germ cell. These cells are part of the reproductive system, forming in the testicles.
· Seminomas tend to affect older men.
· Treatments include surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Most patients will be treated within 2 weeks of a diagnosis.
· Being informed and aware of male cancers, knowing the warning signs and symptoms, making regular monthly self checks, and getting early treatment does make a realdifference to the outcome.
Early diagnosis can mean a cure rate of 95%!
Facts and stats on prostate cancer
· Prostate cancer is one of the four most common cancers in the UK – along with breast, lung and colorectal cancers.
· Every year over 35,000 men in the UK will be diagnosed with prostate cancer.
· It is the second most common cause of cancer death in men with 10,000 deaths every year in the UK alone.
· The majority of cases occur in men over the age of 60 although men in their 40s can be affected.
· Risk factors include age, a family history of prostate cancer and ethnicity (Afro-Caribbean men have high incidents of prostate cancer). A diet rich in fat, red meat and dairy products may increase the risk of developing prostate cancer.
· Signs and symptoms of prostate cancer may include problems passing urine, needing to urinate more frequently or urgently, problems getting or maintaining an erection or pain during ejaculation, unexplained urinary infection, blood in the urine or a pain in the groin, back or hips. Sometimes prostate cancer can go undetected as the symptoms may be associated with “growing older”.
· There are a number of tests and examinations used to help diagnose prostate cancer including a PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) blood test, digital rectal examination (DRE), urine sample, biopsies, and scans.
· Treatment for prostate cancer will depend on the “grade” or aggressiveness of the cancer and the “stage” or progression of the cancer. Treatments might include active surveillance, also referred to as ‘watchful waiting’, surgery, radiotherapy, brachytherapy, hormone therapy, and chemotherapy. There are also many new treatments for prostate cancer under development.
· Being informed and aware of male cancers, knowing the warning signs and symptoms, making regular monthly self checks, and getting early treatment does make a real difference to the outcome.
