Testicular Cancer Awareness

Learn the Facts, Destroy the Stigma

Written by Salvatore Marashi

Approximately 9,000 American men are diagnosed with testicular cancer every year. With a number this large, you’d think we’d be hearing about this topic all the time. Unfortunately, many men are still uncomfortable talking openly about this disease, due to it’s very personal and private nature. We believe working to eliminate this stigma is the best way to raise awareness and combat the spread of any misinformation that’s out there.

So here’s an overview of some Testicular Cancer facts, and answers to important questions that some men may be too embarrassed to ask.

A diagnosis of testicular cancer often brings up issues of anxiety, sexual inadequacy, and a loss of masculinity. These feelings are normal and understandable. But how do you know if you have testicular cancer in the first place? And once diagnosed, what steps are there to take to regain your confidence and counteract these creeping doubts?

Make Self Checks Part of Your Routine

We can’t stress enough how important it is to regularly check yourself for lumps or other changes in your testicles. After a warm shower, simply stand in front of a mirror and use your fingers and thumb to examine both your testicles. A normal testicle will be smooth and firm, but not overly hard. If any lumps or irregularities are detected, contact your doctor for an examination immediately.

Making self-checks part of your routine vastly improves your chances of early detection. Testicular cancer caught early and treated rapidly has a 97% survival rate.

Regain Your Sexual Health

The most common treatment for testicular cancer is the removal of affected testicles. This understandably causes many concerns regarding a man’s sex life and sex drive. Removing a testicle will not alone cause erectile dysfunction, you may experience a loss of libido after the surgery.  Sometimes this prevents erection sustainability. Fortunately, there are solutions out there that can help you get your confidence back. Companies like Hims prescribes a generic form of Viagra called Sildenafil, which increases blood flow to the penis, helping you maintain your erection when you need it.

In cases when both testicles have been removed, testosterone replacement therapy is utilized in order to regain the ability to get an erection and increase sex drive.

Preserve Your Future Fatherhood

Concerns regarding sexual health in the wake of testicular cancer will always lead to questions about fertility. Men left with one functional testicle after surgery will still be able to father children. Only 5% of affected men end up requiring the removal of both testicles, which of course causes immediate sterilization.

While it’s true that some long-term chemotherapy treatments may result in infertility, radiation treatments are even more likely to cause issues of low testosterone levels and decreased sperm counts. No matter what the case, sperm banking is a great way to ensure that fatherhood is still in your future.

The best way to fight testicular cancer is knowing the facts and knowing yourself. Regular self-checks and doctors visits are the best ways to get a jump on any potential problems. The more we engage in open discussions about testicular cancer, the further we’ll be able to destroy the stigma around it and create a culture focused on preventative self-care.

Salvatore Marashi


SOURCE: THE GENTLEMANUAL