Conference quark::mennotes-v1

    
    Is the a self test for this? Does the medical comunity flag specific
    symptoms to watch for?
    
    john
    

    
    	Not being a physician, I'm afraid I can't give you a rundown
        of what to look for.  I do know that, in my friends case and
    	myself, we both experienced periodic discomfort (not pain, per
        se, just discomfort), especially when sitting.  In addition
        both of us had a lump that shouldn't be there.  Of course, the
    	lump was not readily obvious to either of us, so we didn't even
    	know we had one. 
    
    	Beyond that, I'd say talking to your doctor and getting a physical
    	would probably make the most sense.
    
    	God, does this stink!  I wish the medical community had a faster
        way of responding in this kind a situation.
    
    	One week to go.

    
    
    	I should also probably add, that the lump was apparently not
        so obvious to the first doctor either, since he diagnosed it
        as an infection!   So if you do get an examination, my advice
        is to make sure you get a doctor who is recommended!
    

    
    	One other thought, I had even asked doctor number 1 if it might
    	be testicular cancer, and he said that it was unlikely.  This
    	was of course, reassuring at the time.
    
    	As I said before, trust the doctor!

My doctor taught me how to check for testicular cancer.  She said to
hold one ball at a time in your fingertips and feel all around its
surface.  If you notice a lump, have your doctor check it.  She said
that checking once a month is a good idea.  Checking takes about a
minute or two to do. 

I'm assuming that a lump might appear before pain begins, but I'm not 
sure of this.

							--Ger

    
      Several years ago I expierenced occasional pain and discomfort
    in one of my testicles. I went to a urologist and he diagnosed it
    as varicose veins in the testicle. It only took him a couple of
    minutes to diagnose. He could feel a small lump as I was laying
    down, and when I stood up the lump enlarged due to blood reacting
    to gravity.  He told me this condition was fairly common in males
    and was not much to worry about.  The severity can range from
    mild discomfort to needed surgery. 
      It's been about seven years since I first noticed the discomfort.
    I still feel it occasionally but it hasn't progressed to the point
    where I would consider surgery.  Talking it over with friends, I
    discovered that two of my friends have had surgery for this condition
    and they're fine.
      

    About a year ago, I went to a urologist to check into a small bump on
    my testicle.  The urologist couldn't seem to find the bump but I
    knew that it was there.  I was told that it's not unusual to find
    a small bump but always get them checked out.  Luckily, mine turned
    out to be nothing.  I still do regular check-ups about once a month
    just to be sure.  This should be performed after taking a bath or
    shower because the scrotum is usually softer then.  Be sure not
    to mistake the gland located inside of the scrotum for a tumor.
    Take a look at any picture of the male human anatomy to see what
    I'm talking about.  Good luck with the operation.

    I had a similiar situation last year. I had a severe aching for
    a few months (I still do, on and off). My doctor sent me to get
    the tests done also. I had some type of scan and a lot of blood
    work. As it turned out, I do not have testicualr cancer or a hernia.
    But I still ache. My doctor thinks that I just have some ligament
    and tendon problems in my stomach and lower back area. He said that
    everything is connected and that when they act up, I would experience
    aching.
    
    My friend did have testicular cancer and he is fine now. It took
    about six months until he could do as he pleases, but thats not
    bad considering he is fine now. One good thing about it is that
    he needs to take an injection in order to get a woman pregnant.
    Not bad...though I can think of better forms of birth control.
    
    Good Luck.

      I had had symptoms similar to those described in the base note for
    some time, and I never gave them much thought until I read this note.
    It worried me enough that I went to see a urologist. He looked me over
    (so to speak), pronounced me fine, and gave me some interesting facts
    which I'll relate here for anyone interested.
    
    1) Testicular cancer is quite rare (5000 cases annually in the US),
       though obviously not unheard of.
    
    2) When it does occur, it's easily curable, as cancers go. Even when it
       has spread, the cure rate is over 90%. 
    
    3) It is usually *not* marked by pain or discomfort, but only by a lump
       in the scrotum, which is evident only if you're looking for it.
    
    4) Most men over age 14 experience occassional pain in the groin area.
       It can be caused by any number of things (he said minor prostate
       irritation is a very common source). It's usually nothing to worry
       about, though it's wise to get it checked if it persists or is
       severe.

        
    	To continue this story, the urologist pronounced a similar 
    	diagnosis as the first doctor.  He seemed to feel that the
    	medication I'd had in the fall knocked down, but not out, the
    	NSU (infection).  He told me that no one knows how people get it, 
    	but that it is very common.  
    
    	I usually am pretty informed about anything that goes on in my life
    	(I make an extra effort to do so), so for me, the uncertainty
        was sheer torture.  My friends were a great source of support.
        I guess the bottom line is don't hold it in.  Talk about it, and
        get your feelings out.
    
    	Anyways, the condition seems to have improved over the last week and
        a half, and I will be on medication for another 2 weeks.  You
    	can be sure that if it's not completely gone, I will be back
    	in the doctor's office el pronto!
    
    	I sure am glad he didn't think it was cancer!  
    
        Lastly, I'm glad to see someone read this and got it checked
        out.  Rarely fatal or not, it's not something you want to mess
    	around with.
    
    	Larry

April is Cancer Awareness Month

Marlboro Area Health Services
Testicular Cancer and how to do TSE (a self exam)

For Men Only

Marlboro health Services is offering testicular screening by Dr. Levin,
Medical consultant.  A simple three minute, testicular exam should be done
on a monthly basis.  Early detection and prompt treatment can make a
difference in your chances of cure.  Call for an appointment

April 11 - MR01 (297-6219)
April 25 - MET (291-7500)