Prioritise your health this Movember!

Enliven Living
Nov 9, 2023
2 min read

It’s Movember month, time to bring focus to men’s health.

Focus on Mental health — Mental Health November

This year, the focus is on Prostate and Testicular Cancer. Thus to show our allegiance to the Movember movement, which seeks to encourage men to speak openly about their health, we at Living Enliven would like to share some important facts about Prostate and Testicular Cancer:

What is cancer?

Cancer is a complex, life-threatening disease which affects millions of South Africans. Cancer is any malignant growth or tumour caused by abnormal and uncontrolled cell division. If not stopped, it may spread to other parts of the body through the lymphatic system or blood stream.

Which factors can increases the Risks of cancer?

According to the World Health Organisation, the increasing adoption of risky behaviours such as smoking, the harmful use of alcohol, inadequate intake of fibre, fruit and vegetables and lack of physical exercise are major contributing factors for increased risk of cancer.

Highest number of cancers diagnosed (2008-2019) in South Africa?

The highest number of cancers diagnosed among males were prostate, colorectal, lung and non-melanoma skin cancers (basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the skin). Among females, breast, cervical, colorectal and non-melanoma skin cancers were the most commonly diagnosed cancers.

What is a prostrate?

The prostate is a gland found only in males. It makes some of the fluid that is part of semen.

What is prostrate cancer?

Prostate cancer begins when cells in the prostate gland start to grow out of control.

What Is Screening for Prostate Cancer?

Cancer screening means looking for cancer before it causes symptoms. There is no standard test to screen for prostate cancer. Two tests that are commonly used to screen for prostate cancer are a prostate specific antigen (PSA) test and a digital rectal examination (DRE).

What is testicular cancer?

Testicular cancer is a disease when one of the many kinds of testicular cells multiply uncontrollably, forming a mass in one or both testicles. Testicular cancer is not contagious and cannot spread from one person to another.

Common age group where Testicular cancer is present?

In South Africa it is one of the most common male cancer in men between the ages of 15 and 49.

How is Testicular Cancer diagnosed?

The diagnosis of testicular cancer is done on the presence of symptoms followed by a physical examination and biopsy with confirmation by a qualified pathologist in an approved laboratory.

When to seek help?

Any lump, enlargement, hardness, pain, or tenderness should be evaluated by a doctor as soon as possible.

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