Testicular Cancer

How Common Is Testicular Cancer?

In the US, doctors diagnose about 9,300 new cases of testicular cancer every year. It makes up a tiny fraction (1%) of all cancers that occur in men, and it mostly affects males between the ages of 15 and 40.

What’s important to know, however, is that cases are going up. During the 20^th century, the incidence of testicular cancer increased dramatically in high-income countries.

Some researchers have theorized that increased exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) is behind this phenomenon, and there are several studies indicating that when babies are in the womb, their mother’s level of exposure to EDCs can impact the testicular cancer risk.

Still, the link between fetal exposure to endocrine disruptors and cancer risk isn’t known for sure, and doctors don’t know what causes testicular cancer. However, there are risk factors that every male should be aware of.

What Are the Risk Factors for Testicular Cancer?

Here are the most well-known factors that might increase one’s risk of developing testicular cancer.

• Age: While this type of cancer can affect men of any age, most cases happen in males under the age of 40.

• Family history: Those with a family history of testicular cancer should be on the lookout for early warning signs because of the increased risk.

• Cryptorchidism: Normally, both testicles descend into the scrotum before birth. When someone is born with an undescended testicle — a condition known as cryptorchidism — there’s an elevated risk for cancer.

• Abnormal testicular development: If the testes develop incorrectly, which can happen because of a specific health condition, there’s a higher chance of issues. Klinefelter syndrome — a sex chromosome disorder that can lead to small testes — is one such condition.

• Race: White men are anywhere from five to 10 times more likely to develop testicular cancer than non-Caucasian males are.

Even for someone with most of these risk factors, testicular cancer is still extremely rare. And, by knowing what symptoms to watch out for, an individual can recognize warning signs and talk to a physician about treatment options before the cancer spreads.

What Are the Symptoms of Testicular Cancer?

Unlike other cancers that can go unnoticed for a long time, such as prostate cancer and chronic leukemia, with testicular cancer, the early warning signs are easy to recognize.

Often, the first sign is a marble-sized lump in one of the testes. This lump might be painless, but it could also be accompanied by pain in the testicle or the scrotum.

Here are other testicular cancer symptoms you should know about:

• Swelling of one or both testes
• Numbness in a testicle or the scrotum
• A heavy sensation in the scrotum
• Unexplained headaches
• A dull ache or pressure in the lower back, groin area, or pelvis
• Feeling unwell, in general, with no known cause

If you notice one or more of these symptoms, talk to your physician. If it is cancer, it’s better to find out early what’s going on with your body so you can start a treatment plan.

Can Testicular Cancer Be Treated Holistically?

Conventional treatments for testicular cancer can help get rid of a tumor and kill cancer cells, but they also come with their own risks and side effects.

Surgery involves removing the cancerous testicle. For early-stage cancer, this can be all the treatment that is needed; however, some people develop cancer in the other testicle later on. Surgery can impact fertility, but most men with at least one testicle can still father children.

Some oncologists use radiation and chemotherapy after surgery to try and prevent the cancer from coming back. These treatments are also used when the disease has spread beyond the testes. Because these treatments are also toxic, they can cause a wide range of side effects, including nausea and vomiting, damage to the mucosa (the inner lining of the mouth, stomach, and some other areas of the body), and weight loss.

Whether you use conventional treatments or not, holistic medicine can play a role in your healing journey. Holistic treatments can support the immune system, provide anti-cancer benefits, and help the body heal as it fights the disease. Holistic and integrative medicine can also be useful for bringing the body back to a state of health to prevent a recurrence.

Here are some of the holistic cancer treatments for testicular cancer:

• High-dose vitamin C – Studies show that vitamin C can decrease tumor growth and limit the spread of tumors when administered with chemotherapy and radiation or alone.
• Acupuncture – Known to help with everything from pain to headaches, acupuncture is an alternative therapy that may relieve some of the symptoms of testicular cancer.
• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy – Physicians use hyperbaric oxygen therapy to oxygenate the blood and tissue, which can help to promote healing and may help inhibit tumor growth.
• Nutrition – By eating an anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory diet, patients can support immune health and stimulate natural healing. You can work with a trained holistic nutritionist to develop a tailored nutritional plan that supports your unique needs.

Start Your Healing Journey Today

Testicular cancer responds well to treatments, and with proper care, you can keep your body healthy after eliminating the cancer. If you’re interested in learning more about a holistic approach to treating testicular cancer, contact the caring team at Brio-Medical. We’ll talk to you about your options so you can take your first step toward better health with peace of mind. Schedule a consultation today!

References for testicular cancer:

[1] MD Anderson authors. “Testicular Cancer.” MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, https://www.mdanderson.org/cancer-types/testicular-cancer.html. Accessed September 16, 2022.

[2] Bräuner, Elvira V et al. “Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals and Risk of Testicular Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.” The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism vol. 106,12 (2021): e4834-e4860. doi:10.1210/clinem/dgab523

[3] Toppari, J. “Environmental endocrine disrupters.” Sexual development : genetics, molecular biology, evolution, endocrinology, embryology, and pathology of sex determination and differentiation vol. 2,4-5 (2008): 260-7. doi:10.1159/000152042

[4] Moffitt Cancer Center authors. “Common Signs of Testicular Cancer.” Moffit Cancer Center, Taking Care of Your Health Archive, March 10, 2022, https://moffitt.org/taking-care-of-your-health/taking-care-of-your-health-story-archive/five-common-signs-of-testicular-cancer/.

[5] MD Anderson authors. “Testicular Cancer Treatment.” MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, https://www.mdanderson.org/cancer-types/testicular-cancer/testicular-cancer-treatment.html. Accessed September 16, 2022.

[6] Anderson, Peter M et al. “Strategies to Mitigate Chemotherapy and Radiation Toxicities That Affect Eating.” Nutrients vol. 13,12 4397. 8 Dec. 2021, doi:10.3390/nu13124397

[7] Carr, Anitra C, and John Cook. “Intravenous Vitamin C for Cancer Therapy - Identifying the Current Gaps in Our Knowledge.” Frontiers in physiology vol. 9 1182. 23 Aug. 2018, doi:10.3389/fphys.2018.01182