In the Czech Republic, approximately 500 new cases of testicular cancer are diagnosed each year. Although it accounts for only 1-2 per cent of all male cancers, it is insidious mainly because it mainly affects boys and young men between the ages of 15 and 35.
At the age of 28, the Czech hockey player was Dominik Hrníček Diagnosed testicular cancer. He figured out something was wrong on his own.. "I found something different. I tried to touch them again, it was strange. I wondered if I could have banged myself in the gym, but I couldn't remember anything." tells his story. Even in the following days the situation did not improve, so he went to the doctor.
"I didn't give it much weight. First I went to the gym, where I did a two-hour workout. I even bought a season pass for the next month. Before the afternoon workout, I wanted to see the doctor to calm me and my wife down," He says. Instead of reassurance, however, came an unexpected blow. After an ultrasound, he learned that he had tumour on both testicles. "It was a great shock to learn of such a diagnosis. I didn't expect it at all. Why would something like this happen to me? I live a nice life, I play sports, I don't drink alcohol, I don't smoke." He continues.
The very next day Dominik underwent surgery, during which both testicles were removed. He spent a few days in hospital, but had to wait three weeks for the histology results. They eventually showed that both tumors were malignant. Thanks to the fact that it was removed in time, but did not have to undergo subsequent chemotherapy.
Dominic's story is not unique, as testicular cancer is most commonly found just for young men under 35. The cause of its occurrence has not yet been discovered. However, the risk may be increased by a family history, age between 15-40 years or undescended testicles, a situation where the testicles remain in the abdominal cavity or groin and are therefore exposed to higher temperatures as the scrotum is naturally cooler.
A tumor on the testicle can manifest itself lump, enlargement, swelling or pain. None of these symptoms may automatically indicate a malignant tumour. However, it is an important reminder that one should have an examination for urology.
"The basis of prevention is a healthy and balanced diet, exercise and quality sleep. The key is regular self-examination of the testicleswhich men should perform once a month. They should not forget to have preventive check-ups with a general practitioner and, from the age of 50 onwards, a check-up with a urologist." Says MUDr. Kateřina Šédová, founder of the non-profit organization Loonowhich has been working on testicular cancer prevention for ten years as part of the #prsakoule.
Mobile app helps with self-examination Preventionthat will take you through it step by step and remind you of it every month. It also looks at all the preventive checks and offers users a lot of information, not only about testicular cancer. "We've already heard from more than ten young men who, through self-examination, discovered a lump on their testicle that was malignant," adds Šédová.
Patients who have to undergo removal of the affected testicles and subsequent chemotherapy or radiation have the option of having freeze spermwhich can then be used to impregnate a female partner. "It's hard for a guy to say - take both my testicles. But I'm glad it was taken out in time. It's also great that we have a chance of being able to have another baby, if we wanted to, through IVF. Even if I still had my testicles now, I would have my sperm frozen because you never know what you might wake up with tomorrow morning, what might happen to you." explains Hrníčko.
Each patient is then offered a testicle after surgical removal testicular prosthesis, an artificial testicle replacement that serves a purely aesthetic function. "I'm not thinking about implants yet because it's really recent, so it wasn't on the agenda right now. But I will definitely think about them in the future because every guy should have balls," He adds.
Loono/ gnews - RoZ
PHOTO - Loono/ Martin Faltejsek, Zuzana Šlechtová
