Monday, October 31, 2011

A jolt to the penis may cure impotence

When our penis hydraulics fail, we’ll swallow our pride and the magic pills, and if they fail, we’ll vacuum pump it, tie it up with rubber bands, use a needle and syringe to shoot drugs into it, and, if none of that works, we’ll have the poor guy reamed out and stuffed with plastic tubes we can fill with salt water for woodies on demand.
Now some Israeli doctors have tried yet another technique: shocking the poor thing. Using something they call “low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy,” a team from the Rambam Healthcare Campus in Haifa actually succeeded in giving recalcitrant penises a boost.
A year ago, they announced that a study using both tissue in culture dishes and actual human erectile dysfunction patients appeared to indicate that applying shockwaves to the tissue sparked the growth of new blood vessels. That’s important because erections are caused by blood rushing into the penile vasculature. Often, as men age, we accumulate vasculature damage. Sometimes as a result of diabetes or cardiovascular disease, the penile blood vessels degrade. E.D. pills like Viagra boost blood flow into the penis to compensate.
Last time, the team tested the idea on patients who responded to PD-5 inhibitors like Viagra. This time, they selected patients, many with complicating diseases like diabetes, who did not, or were no longer, responding to the pills.
In each treatment session, men were given 300 shocks over a period of three minutes, on five points along the shaft of the penis. There were two sessions per week for three weeks, then three weeks off, and then another three-week treatment period. The shocks were tiny, really, and the men didn’t complain of any pain or discomfort.
The goal was to see if the therapy would make the pills any more effective.
Two months after the treatments concluded, erection scores — yes, erections get scores just like Olympic divers — improved in 75 percent of the 29 men in the study. Eight men, nearly 30 percent, had erections in the normal range when they used an E.D. pill. Blood flow improved in all the men. That’s pretty impressive considering seven of the men were already using the injections and two of the men were considering a penile implant — a drastic last resort.
The study authors stress that this was not a placebo-controlled trial of the technique and they plan more tests. Still, it’s pretty big news if this shock therapy really can spark new vessel growth. If so, shocking your boy may well become standard. If, that is, our abused penises don’t rebel first.

- msnbc.com

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

5 common conditions that affect the scrotum and testes

Men’s health involving the scrotum and testes made news recently with the report of a man who developed a 100-pound scrotum and is seeking donations to cover restorative genital surgery. While hypertrophy of the scrotum and testes is rare event, men’s health does encompass genital conditions that typically fall under 5 common conditions that affect the scrotum and testes.

Genital Condition #1: Testicular Torsion 

Testicular torsion is just as bad as it sounds—it’s a twisting of a testis that leads to severe pain and potentially irreversible damage to the testis. 


The mechanics of testicular torsion are due to a spermatic cord that attaches the testes to the scrotal sac. When a spermatic cord is twisted the blood supply to a testis is cut off leading to immediate pain followed by swelling and tenderness of the testis. The causes of testicular torsion are typically due to strenuous activity or trauma, but can also happen on its own for unknown reasons.

Surgery is the treatment required for rearranging the testis back to its normal state. If the testis does not resume normal blood flow within a few hours, the testicle can be lost requiring surgical removal.

Genital Condition #2: Testicular Trauma

Testicular trauma is any kind of blunt or sharp force injury to the scrotum and testes. Contact sports are the leading cause of “racking the balls” injuries and are preventable through the use of an athletic cup and supporter.

Most injuries to the testes through blunt force trauma require little else than an ice bag treatment with rest. Temporary pain, swelling and bruising are the typical symptoms and disappear relatively quickly. However, blunt and sharp force trauma such as from a kick to the scrotum can cause a testicle to rupture, which then leads to leaking within the scrotal sac and swelling. Surgery is then required to repair the damage to save the testicle.

A less serious (but more embarrassing) injury is getting the skin of the scrotum snagged within the jagged edges of a zipper. Regardless of the embarrassment, treatment should be performed at an emergency room to prevent further damage. The scrotum is vascular and can bleed profusely if not treated carefully and runs the risk of becoming infected.

Genital Condition #3: Epididymitis

Epididymitis is an inflammation of the epididymis—a coiled tube alongside the testes that is responsible for the maturation, storage and transport of sperm that were produced in the testes before release into the vas deferens prior to ejaculation.

Inflammation of the epididymis is due to infection that can result from non-sexually transmitted disease, but typically is associated with chlamydia. Symptoms include scrotal swelling and pain, fever and a pus-filled abscess within the scrotum. If untreated, the infection can cause permanent scarring that essentially blocks sperm transport and results in infertility.

Treatment for epididymitis involves antibiotics for the infection, ice for the swelling and aspirin for the pain.

Genital Condition #4: Hypogonadism

Hypogonadism is a condition when the testicles fail to produce enough testosterone for normal male hormonal balance. Testosterone is a hormone produced by the testes and plays an important role in male development and maintaining secondary sexual characteristics.

Hypogonadism can occur at any time in an individual’s life resulting in ambiguous genitalia in infants, delay of puberty in adolescents and a plethora of ills for an adult male including erectile dysfunction, infertility, loss of libido, gynecomastia, loss of muscle and gain of fat, symptoms of female menopause, lack of facial hair, reduced sized testes, depression and mood swings.

The causes of hypogonadism are several including genetic conditions, undescended testes, medications, too much iron in the blood, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, normal aging, testicular trauma and pituitary disorders. Treatment typically involves testosterone hormone or pituitary hormone replacement therapy.

Genital Condition #5: Testicular Cancer

Testicular cancer is the uncontrolled growth of cells within the testes. Symptoms of testicular cancer include a lump or any other palpable irregularity on a testicle; sensations of heaviness or dull ache in the scrotum; or lower abdomen pain with achiness that may come and go in the scrotum.
Risk factors for testicular cancer include a family history of a male relative having had testicular cancer; being between the ages of 15 and 40; being of a Caucasian ethnicity has a testicular cancer risk five times greater than that of an African-American ethnicity; and, having a medical history of possessing an undescended testicle as an infant.

Found early, testicular cancer is usually easily treatable with a high survival rate. Treatment includes radiation and chemotherapy with or without surgical removal of the affected testis. Testicular self-examination after a hot bath or shower by rolling each testis between the thumbs and fingers of both hands palpating for any irregularities is the best method for early detection and successful treatment.

Monday, September 19, 2011

It's Moustache Season -- Annual Movember Campaign Kicks Off for Cancers Affecting Men

LOS ANGELES, CA, Sep 19, 2011 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- Movember kicks off its 5th annual world-wide campaign in the US, challenging men across the country to show their support by growing a Mo (slang for moustache) this November. To help support Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, today men and women across the country can raise funds and awareness for men's health by registering at www.Movember.com .

Movember, the month formerly known as November, aims to change the face of men's health by creating a global focus on cancers affecting men. Participation is not only fun, but simple. Once registered, men are challenged to start the month clean-shaven and grow a Mo. The mustache becomes the hairy ribbon for men's health and the guys growing them become a walking billboard for 30 days. The growth of a new Mo inspires conversations about not often talked about topics -- men's health and cancer affecting them. Women who register are key to the campaign's success. They act as Mo ambassadors, spreading the word and showing their support for men's health and the mustache.

Movember will also debut a brand new creative concept for the 2011 campaign: The Country Gentleman. Every year Movember changes its creative to keep the campaign exciting and fresh for returning participants and new mustache enthusiasts. Movember's creative is the focal point for the entire campaign, and never used twice. Last year was all about The Modern Gentleman, and this year Movember is taking him out to the countryside.

"Last year, Movember became a truly global movement," said Adam Garone, CEO and Co-Founder of Movember. "Through the power of the moustache, almost half a million Movember participants raised $174 M, making us the largest non-government funder of prostate cancer research in the world. This success was made possible by the individual efforts of each supporter, and we hope they'll join us this year, as there is still much work to do. With more than 240,000 new cases of prostate cancer expected this year, the need for new collaborative research is more urgent than ever."

Americans embraced the mustache in 2010, with nearly 65,000 participants raising $7.5 million for Movember's US men's health partners, the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) and LIVESTRONG, the Lance Armstrong Foundation. With over 1.1 million Movember participants to date, real mustaches are resulting in real outcomes for the cancer community. Movember funds are hard at work -- both locally and globally. Working with our men's health partners, Movember helps fund a range of innovative, world-class programs in line with Movember's strategic goals of awareness and education, research, and survivorship.
"We are extremely grateful for our partnership with Movember and are looking forward to the 2011 campaign this coming November," said Jonathan W. Simons, MD, president and CEO of the PCF. "Movember raises more than just crucial funding for research. It brings awareness of this disease to the forefront and encourages men of all ages and their families and friends to talk about prostate cancer."
Movember has helped fund some groundbreaking programs to date. For more information, please visit www.movember.com .
-- Whole Genome Sequencing -- Scientists, for the first time, have constructed a complete genetic map of prostate cancer. These findings aim to help patients work with their doctors to map the individual genetic alterations of their prostate cancer to determine the specific treatment needed for them. The PCF, the Broad Institute of Harvard, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston collaborated on this break-through research project.
-- Discovery of 25+ Subtypes of Prostate Cancer -- Arul Chinnaiyan, MD, PhD, and his colleagues at the University of Michigan have, through the PCF, completed a research program identifying 25+ different subtypes of prostate cancer. This discovery hopes to help men facing prostate cancer answer the agonizing question: does their cancer need immediate treatment or can it be left alone
 -- LIVESTRONG/Movember Program-- The LIVESTRONG/Movember Program will provide free, confidential one-on-one support to anyone, anywhere affected by cancer. This comprehensive, national program will help people diagnosed with cancer, their families, friends, loved ones, and the health care professionals who work with them. It will provide services around: emotional support, fertility risks and preservation options, insurance, employment and financial concerns, and treatment concerns.
 -- Global Action Plan (GAP) -- Identifying an opportunity to accelerate research outcomes through collaboration, the Movember Foundation has established the Global Action Plan. GAP has two program elements -- an annual global collaborative research project as well as Promoveo, a global, online community for prostate cancer researchers, clinicians and organizations to share information and findings.

"LIVESTRONG serves people and families fighting cancer and we're tremendously grateful for Movember's support of our mission," said Doug Ulman, CEO and President, LIVESTRONG, the Lance Armstrong Foundation, and 3-time cancer survivor. "Movember has created an innovative approach to raising funds and awareness with a special focus on younger generations. Their work is groundbreaking and we're proud to be a part of it."

Movember 2011 US major partners include TOMS and The Art of Shaving.
About Movember Movember aims to forever change the face of men's health through the power of the moustache, by raising awareness and funds that will reduce the number of preventable male deaths by cancer. Since inception as a charity event in 2004, over 1.1 million participants have raised over $174 M for the cause, with official Movember campaigns taking place in ten countries. For more information please visit www.movember.com . Movember is a registered 501(c)(3) charity.

About the Prostate Cancer Foundation The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) is the world's leading philanthropic organization funding and accelerating research. Founded in 1993, PCF has raised more than $450 million and provided funding to more than 1,500 researchers at nearly 200 institutions in 12 countries. PCF advocates for greater awareness of prostate cancer and more efficient investment of governmental research funds supporting transformational cancer research. Our efforts have helped produce a 20-fold increase in government funding for prostate cancer. More information about PCF can be found at pcf.org.

About LIVESTRONG/Lance Armstrong Foundation LIVESTRONG, the Lance Armstrong Foundation, serves people affected by cancer and empowers them to take action against the world's leading cause of death. Created as the Lance Armstrong Foundation in 1997 by cancer survivor and champion cyclist Lance Armstrong, the organization is now known publicly by its powerful brand -- LIVESTRONG -- and is a leader in the global movement on behalf of 28 million people around the world living with cancer today. Originating with the iconic yellow wristband, LIVESTRONG has become a symbol of hope and inspiration to people affected by cancer around the world. Since its inception, the organization has raised more than $400 million for the fight against cancer. For more information, visit LIVESTRONG.org.

reource: - MarketWatch

Thursday, March 31, 2011

11 Signs Your Guy Has a Prostate Problem

Does your man have trouble urinating? Maintaining an erection? These are some of the signs of prostate cancer.

Trouble is, many men won’t see a doctor unless they’re bleeding from the gut. So it falls to their wives, daughters and sisters to take charge of their health.

Why should women care about such a small gland? For one thing, it can affect your sexual relationship. Second, it’s a widow-maker.

More than 200,000 American men get a prostate cancer diagnosis every year; nearly 30,000 die.

“Virtually every guy over 70 has some prostatic enlargement,” says Edward Geehr, Lifescript’s chief medical officer.

"It's a troublesome gland and, for many men, a royal pain," says Janet Farrar Worthington, co-author of The Prostate: A Guide for Men and the Women Who Love Them (Grand Central Publishing) and Dr. Patrick Walsh's Guide to Surviving Prostate Cancer (Wellness Central).

It may be a common health problem for men, but it’s their women who pay attention to it.

"It’s often the women who get their husbands, boyfriends, brothers and fathers through every step of this disease," Worthington says. "Be the advocate, ask the questions, learn about the side effects and what to expect.”

It’s an effort that pays off, since the key to surviving prostate cancer is to catch it early.

“If men are going to reduce their preventable risks, they’ve got to get to the doctor sooner rather than later,” says Will Courtenay, Ph.D., an internationally recognized psychotherapist and author of Making Health Manly: Social Marketing and Men's Health (The Journal of Men’s Health).

Common symptoms include trouble urinating, difficulty getting an erection, painful ejaculation, blood in his urine or semen, or pain or stiffness in his hips, lower back or upper thighs.

But chances are your man may not experience any of these because prostate cancer often shows no signs.

Doctors use two tests to detect the disease: a digital rectal exam and a blood screening that detects a substance made by the gland called prostate-specific antigen. That’s why routine screenings are important.

"The greatest blessing of early detection is the gift of time," Worthington says. "Men are being diagnosed an average of five years earlier than they used to be."

But first, you may have to convince him that the risk is real. Put a little fear in him, Courtenay advises.

“Don’t terrify him with scary facts about men who died because they waited too long to get help,” he says. “But frightening him a little is OK,” because it may encourage him to act.

Also, learn who’s at risk for prostate cancer, when to undergo screening and the dietary and lifestyle changes that can save his life.

Here are 11 risk factors you both should know:

1. He's African-American.
Black men have the highest rate of prostate cancer diagnosis and death in the world, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

"Worse, black men seem to get more severe forms, are more likely to have the cancer come back after treatment and are more likely to die of this disease," Worthington says. She recommends tests every year, starting at age 40.

Caucasians have the second-highest rate of diagnosis and death; Asian/Pacific Islanders have the lowest death rate.

2. His family has a history of prostate cancer.
Your man is twice as likely to get the disease if he has one first-degree relative — father, brother, son — with a history of it, according to the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

The risk goes up if more relatives are affected, Worthington says.

It may be as high as 50% if three family members (father and two brothers, for example) have had it, if it occurs in three generations (grandfather, father, son) or if two relatives developed it younger than 55 years old.

And don’t forget the women in his family.

"Prostate cancer risk can be inherited from the mother as well," she says. So ask about his maternal family history.

3. He's over 50 years old.
The older your man, the higher his risk: "In men 40-49, the risk of developing prostate cancer is one in 50," Worthington says. From 60-79, it's one in seven.

But don't put off tests until he's blowing out 60 candles on his birthday cake.

"Prostate cancer screening should start at age 40," Worthington says.

4. He's too fat.
Excessive weight raises prostate cancer risk, according to many studies.

In fact, when they pack on the pounds makes a difference, according to a University of Hawaii study published in June’s Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. Researchers found that Caucasian men who put on extra weight in their 20s and 30s faced a higher risk.

Another study by the American Cancer Society found that men with a BMI greater than 30 were 20%-25% more likely to die of prostate cancer than thinner men, Worthington says.

Experts believe that too much body fat throws off the body’s normal production of insulin and testosterone, which may fuel growth of prostate cancer cells.

But that’s not your man’s only worry: Too much belly fat and a high-fat diet can also raise his risk of heart disease and diabetes.

5. He eats too much fat.
Body fat isn’t the only kind to worry about; the fat he consumes makes a difference too.

"Dietary fat may not only help cause prostate cancer, but also may affect the way it progresses – how fast cancer cells proliferate, their ability to spread and the body's ability to fight off this invasion," Worthington says.

Foods high in saturated fats, especially from animal products (red meat and dairy), appear to be the worst dietary trigger for prostate cancer, Worthington says.

6. He smokes.
Smoking cigarettes gives cancer cells a comfy place to grow, Worthington says.

Research doesn’t yet show that smoking causes prostate cancer, but it has proven that a nicotine habit can help it grow faster and more aggressively.

Tell him to stop smoking now, Worthington advises.

7. He's having urinary troubles.
“If he gets up frequently in the middle of the night to urinate, he could have problems with his prostate,” Courtenay says.

This is because the urethra, the tube that carries urine and semen, runs right through the middle of the prostate like a straw, Worthington says.

Urinary troubles often signal benign prostatic hyperplasia, a non-cancerous enlargement of the gland that’s common in men older than 40.

Still, any changes in urination – including pain, weak flow, difficulty starting or stopping, frequent nighttime urination, or blood in the urine or semen – should be evaluated by a doctor.

8. He has pain with bowel movements.
Because the prostate lives on the other side of the rectal wall, prostate enlargement or cancer can often cause pain during a bowel movement. This, along with a bloody stool, may also be a symptom of colorectal cancer.

9. He complains of pain or stiffness in his hips, lower back or upper thighs.
Sure, it could be a general ache or pain, but it may also point to prostate cancer that has spread beyond the gland and into surrounding areas.

10. He has swollen legs.
This indicates that the cancer has spread into nearby pelvic lymph nodes. If he presents with any of the above symptoms, schedule his doctor's visit right away.

11. He has had an STD.
If your man has a common STD, Trichomonas vaginalis, he’s 2.7 times more likely to develop the most fatal form of prostate cancer, according to a study reported in the Journal of the American Cancer Institute in June.

He’s also three times more likely to die from it.

Trichomonas is curable and treatable with antibiotics.
resource:  http://news.peacefmonline.com/health/201103/149381.php

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Anti-baldness drug affects men's sexual health

Some doctors have claimed that young men could be jeopardizing their sexual health by taking the world's best selling anti-baldness drug.

According to researchers, Finasteride - sold in UK as Propecia - can cause serious side effects and that the drug's labeling is inadequate.

The prescription pill is extremely effective at stopping hair loss and in clinical trials nine out of 10 men didn't lose any more hair over a five year period.

Drugs' company Merck, which manufactures Propecia, claims on its website that less than 2pc of men could suffer sexual side effects, reports the BBC .

It mentions things like difficulty achieving an erection, but says the problems will go away for men who stop taking the drug.

There are doctors in Ireland and the US who claim that the drug's labeling is inadequate.

Merck said they continually monitor its safety and have recently changed the labeling after reports of sexual side effects continuing after people had stopped taking the drug.

They also claim those cases are extremely rare and could be caused by something other than Propecia itself.
resource: The Times of India

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Plastic Surgery for Men QT: Will Latisse Grow Men’s Hair?

An entire industry exists to study products that found uses far, far beyond what the product developers, manufacturers or advertisers ever could imagine.


Known as non-intended product use, famous examples include people using:
  • Kitty litter for traction on icy steps and sidewalks
  • Torn tennis balls to protect trailer hitches
  • Whole tennis balls suspended from the rafters marking exactly where to stop a vehicle in a packed garage
  • Toothpaste to remove the scratches in a CD
You’ve probably already seen the long list of unintended uses for Botox, from halting sweaty palms to making some breast augmentation procedures less painful.

Latisse was virtually an overnight sensation when it hit the market back in 2008. Latisse is the feminine version of a slam dunk. Clinical tests reveal test subjects have 25 percent longer eye winkers which are 18 percent darker and 100 percent fuller. Of 172 comments about Latisse on RealSelf.com, 89 percent say the $100 cost is worth it.

Then, some Latisse users found their eyebrows growing thicker, longer and blacker...Well, guess what happened next? (In our estimation, anyhow.) All over the U.S., short, bald men who had wives or girlfriends (or hey, even moms and grandmoms!) with Latisse- boosted eyelashes, started reporting an unusual – but welcome! – event.

The more hugs these guys got, the more hair sprouted on their shiny noggins. All it took was some brushes on the head with eyelashes. Or, who knows? Maybe the guys started out just swiping the Latisse.

After that, dermatologists, plastic surgeons, ophthalmologists, cosmetic surgeons and other doctors started reporting cases of new hair sprouting on formerly bald heads. And the only thing different was Latisse in the house.

Then, Alan Bauman, M.D., a famous hair restoration doctor for both men and women, started trying Latisse on hair challenged patients. He soon had enough interesting cases of male and female pattern baldness solved to convince the F.D.A. that official testing should be done.

As we speak, 28 men and women aged 18 to 64 are officially testing Latisse for hair growth on the head in an FDA stage I trial. Dr. Bauman thinks a stronger dose of Latisse should do the trick.

Stay tuned! Clinical trials II and III are next.
Time to market?  Don’t hold your breath – with luck, maybe three years.
resource:   http://www.californiasurgicalinstitute.com/blog/latisse-to-grow-men%E2%80%99s-hair.html

Monday, November 22, 2010

Kegel exercises for men: Understand the benefits from MayoClinic.com

Kegel exercises for men can help prevent or control urinary incontinence and possibly improve sexual performance. Here's a guide to doing Kegel exercises correctly.

Think Kegel exercises are just for women? Think again. Kegel exercises for men can strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, which support the bladder and bowel and affect sexual function. With practice, Kegel exercises for men can be done discreetly just about anytime — whether you're relaxing on the couch or driving your car. Before you start doing Kegel exercises, find out how to locate the correct muscles and understand the proper technique.

Benefits of Kegel exercises for men

Many factors can weaken your pelvic floor muscles, including a radical prostatectomy and conditions such as diabetes. Kegel exercises for men can help prevent, treat or delay some of the symptoms caused by weak pelvic floor muscles, such as urine leakage. You may benefit from doing Kegel exercises if you have:
  • Urinary or fecal incontinence
  • Dribble following urination
Limited research suggests that Kegel exercises for men may also benefit some men who have erectile dysfunction.

How to do Kegel exercises for men

It takes diligence to identify your pelvic floor muscles and understand how to contract and relax them. Here are some pointers:
  • Find the right muscles. To make sure you know how to contract your pelvic floor muscles, tightly squeeze the muscles that help prevent you from passing gas or try to stop the flow of urine while you're using the toilet. If you look in the mirror, the base of your penis will move closer to your abdomen and your testicles will rise.
  • Perfect your technique. Once you've identified your pelvic floor muscles, empty your bladder and lie down. Contract your pelvic floor muscles, hold the contraction for three seconds, then relax for three seconds. Try it a few times in a row but don't overdo it. When your muscles get stronger, try doing Kegel exercises while sitting, standing or walking.
  • Maintain your focus. For best results, focus on tightening only your pelvic floor muscles. Be careful not to flex the muscles in your abdomen, thighs or buttocks. Avoid holding your breath. Instead, breathe freely during the exercises.
  • Repeat three times a day. Aim for at least three sets of 10 repetitions a day. You might make a practice of fitting in a set every time you do a routine task, such as brushing your teeth.
Kegel exercises can also be done after you finish voiding, to get rid of the last few drops of urine or to return any feces that haven't been voided up to the rectum. You might also contract your pelvic floor muscles just before and during any activity that puts pressure on your abdomen, such as sneezing, coughing, laughing or heavy lifting. In addition, you might tighten your pelvic floor muscles during sexual activity to maintain an erection or delay ejaculation.

When you're having trouble

If you're having trouble doing Kegel exercises, don't be embarrassed to ask for help. Your doctor or other health care provider can give you important feedback so that you learn to isolate and exercise the correct muscles.
In some cases, biofeedback training may help. In a biofeedback session, your doctor or other health care provider inserts a small monitoring probe into your rectum. When you contract your pelvic floor muscles, you'll see a measurement on a monitor that lets you know whether you've successfully contracted the right muscles. You'll also be able to see how long you hold the contraction.

When to expect results

If you do your Kegel exercises regularly, you can expect to see results — such as less frequent urine leakage — within three to six weeks. Other results, such as improved erectile function, may take three months. For continued benefits, make Kegel exercises a permanent part of your daily routine.
resource: MayoClinic.com

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Checking for Testicular Cancer with a 60 Second Self-Exam

Men’s health is best protected by a lifestyle that includes regular testicular examination.  Early detection of tumours on the testes significantly increases survival.

Sixty seconds is all it takes to self examine your own testicles.  It is recommended that all men over the age of 14 conduct a testicular self exam once a month.  This is the best way to become familiar  with your own anatomy so that any changes are noticed right away.

Here is the four step procedure for a testicular self examination (TSE).  It is recommended to do the self exam after a warm bath or shower when the structures in the scrotum are relaxed.

Holding the scrotum, place one testicle between your thumb and fingers and gently feel the entire surface of the testicle rolling it gently between your thumb and fingers.  It should be smooth with no lumps or bumps. Keep feeling all around the testicle and move up to the top where you should be able to feel the epididymis.  It might even extend a bit behind the testicle.   It might be a little tender when pressed but should feel like a “comma” shaped structure. Move up the epididymis and locate the spermatic cord.  It will feel like a tube.  It should be soft and movable. Repeat on the other testicle and your testicular self exam is complete.  It should not take more that 60 seconds.


Treatment

Testicular cancer is treated by removal of the affected testicle (orhiectomy) and radiation or chemotherapy as follow-up treatment if needed.  Testicular self examination is the best way to ensure early detection of tumours on the testes.  If found and treated early survival rates are close to 90%.

Only one testicle is needed for male fertility and normal male sexual functioning so if testicular cancer is detected and treated early, the orchiectomy should not affect sexual activity or plans for family expansion.  Prosthetic devices are available to restore the normal feel and appearance after the removal of the affected testicle.


Early detection through self examination is the best health promotion strategy for protecting mens health.  Like its female counterpart, breast cancer, testicular cancer is not preventable in the sense that the exact mechanisms of cause are not clearly known.
resource: healthnit.com