Learn early warning signs of testicular cancer
Testicular self-examination is one of the most important steps to take in detecting early signs of testicular cancer, as Dave Bennett, a software consultant and testicular cancer survivor will attest.
In the late 1990s, while watching a documentary about self-examination for both testicular and breast cancer, Mr. Bennett first learned about the importance of being proactive about his health.
After learning how to check for abnormalities, he made it a part of his routine to do testicular self-exams.
During one of his regular self-exams in the shower, he felt a “rough area” .
Unlike prostate cancer, which is slow growing and can take years to become large enough to cause any problems, testicular cancer grows very fast. Mr. Bennett learned this the hard way. To him, a lump would have been indicative that cancer was present, not necessarily a change in the texture or consistency of the testicle.
So when he went to the doctor and was told that he needed an ultrasound but would have to wait 10 weeks, he was not concerned.
He was living in England at the time and decided to go to Antigua on holiday for two weeks. While there, his testicle had tripled in size and became rock hard, which is when he finally realised how serious it was.
By this time, he was having problems walking and could barely sit during his 10-hour flight back home.
Immediately after landing, he went straight to the hospital for his ultrasound and was referred to another hospital for a second opinion from a doctor who had seen many of these cases. From there, he was rushed to see an oncologist who knew straight away that it was cancer.
Five days after his diagnosis, Mr. Bennett went in for surgery, expecting it to be a simple process.
Not a simple procedure
“I thought they would simply take the sick testicle out and that’s it,” he said.
Instead, the biopsy revealed that the type of cancer would require follow-up with blood tests and a CAT scan, which he did one week after the surgery. Results from the scan revealed that the cancer had spread to the stomach, at which point he began treatment with chemotherapy which lasted for four months.
People react to chemotherapy treatment very differently, but unfortunately for Mr. Bennett, he was one of the unlucky ones who experienced all the negative side effects of chemo – nausea, upset stomach and hair loss. Even after the four months of chemotherapy, there were still some tumours remaining, which meant he had to have another surgery.
“I can’t help but think that if it were not for that 10-week delay, [the cancer] would not have gotten into my abdomen,” he said.
After surviving cancer, Mr. Bennett made the decision to move to the Cayman Islands and become a dive instructor. On his flight to Cayman, he met a woman whose 16-year-old son had died of testicular cancer, and as a result she started giving talks at schools to promote awareness.
This inspired Mr. Bennett to do the same, and he has done a number of talks to school age boys here on island about the importance of self-examinations.
Given his race, age and medical history (born with an undescended testicle), he was at a higher risk of developing testicular cancer than other men. “Had I known I was high risk, I would have been more in control of my own destiny,” he said.
This is why he believes it is so important to educate others about risk factors, prevention, screening and early detection.
For more information on male cancers, the Cayman Islands Cancer Society or its programmes, call 949-7618 or email [email protected]. Camila Muniz Ferreira is project coordinator of the Cayman Islands Cancer Society.
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