by Christnel Angel Olo and Ellyza Salvador, UM Interns
THE DEPARTMENT of Urology of the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) urged men to break the stigma and consult experts for early detection of testicular cancer.
During the Kapehan sa Dabaw media forum on April 29, Dr. Jera Dean A. Travilla, Department of Urology chief resident, said the hospital recorded 40 cases from 2017–2022 but only 6% of the patients came to them early.
“Most of the patients will come to us in the most advanced stages na, malalaki na yung bukol (the tumor already grew),” Travilla said.
Testicular cancer is caused by malignant cells in the testicles that form into a tumor and has 4 main stages, stage 0- stage 3:
- Stage 0 refers to abnormal cells in the testicle that have not disseminated to other areas yet.
- Stage 1, the earliest stage of testicular cancer, is when the cancer is only in the testicle and hasn’t spread to nearby lymph nodes or other organs.
- Stage 2 is when the cancer cells have spread from the testicle into nearby lymph nodes in the abdomen or pelvis.
- Stage 3 is when the cancer has spread to lymph nodes or other organs.
“Basically, testicular cancer is 1% lang of all the malignancies. However, it is the most common cancer between the ages 15-34 years of age na lalake,” he said.
“In the world statistics, testicular cancer has a very very low mortality rate. Kasi sa totoo lang no, even in the advanced stages, you can still give cure na to the point that you can cure that patient 100%,” he added.
However, due to stigma, Travilla said most patients hesitate to consult an expert.
“That is the frustration here in the Philippines, na very conservative ang mga tao, so nahihiya when it comes to private parts,” Travilla said.
In hopes of preventing severe cases of testicular cancer, the SPMC advises men experiencing symptoms like a lump, swelling, and weight in the testicle to consult as early as possible.
The SPMC accepts consultations from 8 a.m.–3 p.m.
Additional source: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/testicular-cancer/stages-tnm
