14/08/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 15/08/2024 22:06
It's Testicular Cancer Awareness Month, and the urologists at Georgia Urology are offering advice on self-screening and early detection. No matter how old you are or what time of year it is, it's important that you understand testicular screening, as it is an easy, fast way to detect testicular cancer at its earliest signs and get appropriate treatment.
Many people mistake testicular cancer as "an older person's issue" or dismiss it due to a misunderstanding about its prevalence and effects. Meet Charlie, a young Georgia Urology patient who felt an unusual firmness in one of his testicles. Despite having no pain or discomfort, Charlie knew something wasn't right. His awareness of testicular cancer and knowing that the signs and symptoms are not necessarily the same in every patient drove him to seek medical care, and he eventually was treated by the urologists here at Georgia Urology. Because of his quick assessment and immediate care, Charlie was diagnosed, seen, treated, and cancer-free soon thereafter.
Stories like Charlie's show that testicular cancer can affect men of virtually any age and can be treated effectively and swiftly when caught early. Delaying a screening either because you "feel like nothing's wrong" or because you are "too young" is a mistake that can lead to an outcome otherwise preventable.
Unlike many other cancers, testicular self-screening is easy and effective. Most men take the opportunity to screen for testicular cancer in the shower and should do so once a month.
Important note: Speak to your primary care physician or urologist if you have a family history of testicular cancer or if you have had cancer yourself, especially if you have had radiation in the groin area.
We stress that patients should go with their gut about whether a testicular issue needs medical attention. Knowledge of our bodies and when something feels "off" is usually the strongest indicator for further evaluation. Trust your intuition, and don't put off seeing a specialist.
Testicular cancer is very treatable when it has not spread beyond the testes. Once it begins to spread (metastasis), testicular cancer can affect structures beyond the testes, including the lungs and, in advanced cases, the bones. When caught early, testicular cancer has over a 95% five-year survival rate. With successful treatment being so straightforward, don't delay getting diagnosed.
When time is of the utmost importance, trust a medical practice with the resources and knowledge to address the problem and an experienced team to treat it promptly. With locations throughout Atlanta, seeing and treating patients quickly has become our hallmark of care and a cornerstone of our patient results.