According to a story from Summit Medical Group, a recent study indicates that survivors of testicular cancer may have a greater risk for heart disease. Compared to many types of cancer, testicular cancer is highly treatable and can often be cured in many cases, with a five year survival rate of 95 percent.
Testicular cancer often causes symptoms such as swelling or pain and a lump in the testicle. This type of cancer often occurs at a fairly young age, often between 20 and 34 years of age. The cause of testicular cancer is not fully understood, but there are some risk factors, such as an undescended testicle and a sedentary lifestyle. Some studies have also found that smoking marijuana increased risk. Treatment is typically a combination of radiation and chemotherapy. Surgery is often conducted to remove the affected testicle. Compared to many cancers, testicular cancer typically responds well to treatment, with the vast majority of cases eventually being cured. To learn more about testicular cancer, click here.
These study results will hopefully prepare caregivers with earlier interventions so that potential heart disease can be addressed more effectively. The study used a total of 486 men that had survived testicular cancer. The study found that survivors displayed worse health characteristics compared to the average population. Survivors were more likely to be overweight, have high cholesterol levels, and higher blood pressure. About one in ten survivors had metabolic syndrome, which manifests with symptoms like diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity.
