| Breast and Testicular Cancer |
The bad news is approximately 6,800 young men and 180,000 women will be diagnosed with testicular and breast cancer, respectively, each year. The good news is a simple five minute routine once a month can detect these cancers early so effective treatment can begin.
Testicular cancer primarily affects young men ages 15-35. Early signs may include a hard pea-sized lump, slight swelling in one testicle and a feeling of heaviness in the groin or scrotum. If found early the survival rate is close to 100%. So, how do you detect testicular cancer. Simply by examining yourself monthly. The best time is after a warm bath/shower when the scrotum is relaxed. Roll each testicle gently between the thumb and fingers of both hands. If a lump is found see your health care provider as soon as possible.
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women. Although the risk factors for developing breast cancer include over age 40, family history of breast cancer, never giving birth or birth over age 30, 75% of cases diagnosed each year have no risk factors! The most common sign is a lump or thickening of the breast tissue. Other signs to look for are redness or soreness of the skin, swelling, dimpling or puckering of the skin or nipple. Although 4 out of 5 lumps are benign (not cancer) you should report any changes in your breast to your health care provider. The best time to examine your breasts is after your period. Lie down and place a pillow under the shoulder of the breast you are examining and place that arm behind your head. With the finger pads of the opposite hand, feel for lumps or thickenings. Then repeat on the other side. Also look at your breast in front of a mirror for any changes. |
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