Battling cancer once in a
lifetime is challenging enough. But what are the odds of
facing a second type of cancer later in life? A study in the
Journal of the National Cancer Institute has found that a
higher risk does exists, at least when it comes to
testicular cancer. According to the study, men who have
survived testicular cancer have nearly twice the risk of
developing other serious cancers than men who have not had
cancer.
“The good news is that testicular cancer is highly treatable
when found early and that nearly 95 percent of men with
testicular cancer can be cured,” says
Koushik Shaw, M.D., a
urologist with The Austin Diagnostic Clinic (ADC). “But
in light of the recent study, men who overcome testicular
cancer may not be completely out of the woods. They have a
much higher chance of facing cancer again later in life.”
Testicular cancer often strikes young men between the ages
of 15 and 34. In fact, the
American Cancer Society (ACS) reports that more than 80
percent of men diagnosed with testicular cancer are younger
than 45.
The research shows that testicular cancer survivors,
especially those who had cancer in their 20s, had a
significantly elevated cancer risk for the next 35 years of
life. The most common “second” cancers recorded were
stomach, pancreas, bladder and connective tissue disease.
And, for the first time, the study found a connection
between testicular cancer and an increased risk of
mesothelioma (cancer of the outer lining of the lungs) and
cancer of the esophagus.
“What the research tells us is that men who have survived
testicular cancer need to be more aware of reoccurring or
new symptoms later in life and to avoid smoking and other
behavior that could further raise cancer risk,” explains Dr.
Shaw.
The study followed participants for up to 30 years in some
cases—some data was dated as far back as 1943. It is the
first study to evaluate long-term cancer risk among
testicular cancer survivors. While some experts believe that
the treatments for testicular cancer—radiation and
chemotherapy—could contribute to a higher second-cancer
risk, this particular study found no proof.
“Everyone should be responsible about their heath,” he says.
“But this news should serve as a wake-up call for testicular
cancer survivors to take their health even more seriously.”
He recommends the following
precautions for men who have survived testicular cancer.
 |
Don’t smoke—Smoking
damages nearly every organ
in the human body and is linked to at least 10
different cancers,
including stomach and esophageal cancer (two of the
cancers
found to have a higher occurrence among testicular
cancer
survivors).
|
|
|
Maintain a healthy
diet and exercise regularly—More and more
research is linking a sedentary lifestyle and poor
diet with
increased risk of several types of cancer.
|
|
|
Get regular health
screenings—Follow ACS guidelines on starting
regular colorectal cancer and prostate cancer
screenings by age
50. Your physician may recommend additional or
earlier screenings
based on your individual risk factors.
|
|
|
Report any suspicious
symptoms to your doctor—It is important
to listen to your body and report any unusual or new
symptoms
to your physician. Increased fatigue, headaches or
other seemingly benign symptoms could be an early
indicator that something is
wrong.
|
|
|
So while the risks may
be increased, taking precautions may help testicular
cancer survivors stay healthy longer—and perhaps
avoid having to battle another type of cancer later
in life.
|
The Austin
Diagnostic Clinic (ADC) is a multi-specialty clinic with
physicians representing 24 medical specialties at six
locations.
Dr. Shaw practices at the ADC Main Clinic at 12221 N. MoPac.
To schedule an appointment, call 901-4021.
