Every year in November, men around the world take the initiative to grow a moustache. This phenomenon, which goes by the name of “Movember”, is much more than just a fashionable trend. The international campaign raises awareness of men’s physical and mental health issues, and has a particular focus on the early detection of prostate and testicular cancer.

This is important because many men are less likely to take advantage of preventive healthcare services, and are slower to seek medical assistance in the event of symptoms. For cancer in particular, regular examinations can be crucial for catching it at an early stage. The overview in SWICA’s world of health provides information on what warning signs need to be taken seriously, and what check-ups are recommended.

Good to know: an enlarged prostate doesn’t automatically mean cancer

Many men’s prostates get bigger as they age. This benign change is much more common than prostate cancer. Because the prostate surrounds the urethra, enlargement of the prostate can restrict the flow of urine. Typical symptoms include a frequent urge to urinate, nocturnal visits to the toilet, a weak urine stream and dripping. Anyone who experiences these kinds of symptoms should have them checked out by a doctor. Early treatment can alleviate symptoms and prevent potential complications.

How to spot prostate cancer at an early stage

Prostate cancer is usually slow-growing, and often causes no symptoms in its early stages. That’s why this disease often goes unnoticed for a long time. But when a tumour is discovered, the chances of successful treatment are usually good, provided the malignancy is still confined to the prostate. Conversely, treatment is much more difficult if the cancer has spread to the surrounding tissue or other organs.

Men aged 50 and over should talk to their doctor about options for early detection. This is particularly important for men with an increased risk, for example if their father or brother has already had prostate cancer.

But it's important to note that screenings can also produce false positives. This means that the disease is suspected but subsequently not confirmed. These kinds of results can lead to further examinations and a certain amount of mental stress. The decision for or against screenings should therefore always be made on a case-by-case basis, after carefully weighing up the benefits and risks.

Spotting the warning signs

Possible signs of testicular cancer include the following:

• Painless hardening of the testicle
• Swelling or enlargement
• A feeling of heaviness in the scrotum
• A pulling sensation in the testicles or groin
• Unexplained pain in the area around the testicles

When should you go to the doctor?

You should seek medical assistance if you feel hardness, swelling or other changes, or if you experience pain, heaviness or a pulling sensation in the testicle or groin area. Although these symptoms may have benign causes such as epididymitis or a hydrocele, they should still be taken seriously. A urologist can usually determine the cause quickly using ultrasound and blood tests.

How is testicular cancer treated?

Treatment depends on the stage of the disease. In most cases, the affected testicle is surgically removed. Since normally only one testicle is removed, fertility, hormone production and sexual function are usually not affected. If necessary, sperm can be frozen as a precaution prior to treatment.

The good news is that if testicular cancer is detected early, the chances of recovery are very good in most cases. So it’s worth getting any changes checked early on.