Let’s talk about testicular cancer

It’s Testicular Cancer Awareness Month throughout April and we wanted to take a moment to highlight some of the stats and symptoms in case they’re helpful to anyone reading. We are not doctors, and all of this information is in the public domain, but if we hope that in sharing it, it could help someone to get a diagnosis a little earlier. 

Testicular cancer symptoms 

Of course there are lots of symptoms when it comes to cancer, and some are more insidious than others, so if you’re ever unsure about something then it’s always best to speak to your doctor. However, here are some of the most common symptoms of testicular cancer:

• A lump or enlargement in either testicle
• An increase in the firmness of a testicle
• A difference in appearance between one testicle and the other
• A feeling of heaviness in the scrotum
• A dull ache in the abdomen or groin, testicles or scrotum
• A sudden collection of fluid in the scrotum
• Pain or discomfort in a testicle or the scrotum
• Back pain

Typical treatments for testicular cancer

Everyone’s experience of cancer is different and there’s no such thing as a textbook journey. It will depend on things like the size and stage of cancer that you have. However, typically a treatment plan for testicular cancer in the UK could include one or more of the following according to the NHS:

Surgery 

The first treatment option for all cases of testicular cancer, whatever the stage, is to surgically remove the affected testicle (an orchidectomy). If cancer is beyond stage one, then sometimes further surgeries are required, for example, to remove any addicted lymph nodes or secondary tumours.

Chemotherapy

If cancer is stage one then after surgery, chemotherapy is sometimes recommended to help prevent cancer returning. If cancer is beyond stage one then more cycles of chemotherapy might be recommended.

The side effects of chemotherapy can vary, but they can also be challenging. They can include things like fatigue, hair loss, easy bruising, a predisposition to infection, nausea and changes to your appetite. It can also affect your skin, with many people reporting very dry skin, brittle nails and pigmentation. 

Radiotherapy 

A short course of radiotherapy is also sometimes recommended after surgery.

Spa treatments and your cancer journey

All cancer treatments have their side effects that doctors will be able to offer advice on. From our perspective, spas are certainly not going to fix all problems, but with properly trained spa therapists and the right products, they can help to ease some side effects of cancer treatments and to provide support on your cancer journey. For example, the right type of massage has been shown to help ease pain, improve mood and help with sleeplessness. Meanwhile, products from brands like Jennifer Young help to ease some of the skincare side effects of cancer treatment. 

If you would like to find out more about spas where therapists are trained to provide the best support on your cancer journey, you can follow the link to our Safe Hands for Cancer experiences, or read more articles on this blog.