For men, a common form of cancer is testicular cancer. In 2017, it was estimated that 9,310 U.S. men would be diagnosed with this condition. If you're currently struggling with this serious medical complication and are wondering what your options are, these tips will prove helpful.
Find a Care Giver
Testicular cancer can take a huge toll on you physically, which means you won't be able to do things you normally could before your diagnosis. As a result, it's to your benefit to hire some sort of caregiver, a person who can assist with daily activities so that testicular cancer and its treatments are more manageable to deal with.
You can either find someone in your family or choose a professional caregiver. In either case, this person will help with many things. These can include picking up prescription medication, assisting with meals, cleaning around the house, helping with household chores, and providing emotional support.
Join a Support Group
Testicular cancer doesn't affect you just from a physical standpoint; it can also negatively impact you emotionally. So that you properly deal with these emotions after hearing your cancer diagnosis, be sure to join a testicular cancer support group.
The people attending these groups are going through the same physical and emotional problems as you. They can therefore become valuable resources that you use to learn more about the road you're about to face. There also will be plenty of success stories you can hear from these groups. Hearing other people beat their cancer may be just what you need to encourage you to keep moving forward with your cancer treatments.
Consult with Your Doctor about Treatment Options
Perhaps the most important thing you can do after receiving a testicular cancer diagnosis is to consult with your doctor as far as what treatments are available. Some of the recommended options may include chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
To help narrow down which option would be best, your doctor will assess your medical history, the stage of your testicular cancer, and your age. Whatever treatment option they recommend, it's also smart to get a second opinion. This way, you can be sure the testicular cancer treatment you receive will have the best chance of success.
Getting diagnosed with testicular cancer is life-changing and can send you through the gamut of emotions. Although this condition is serious, it's important to note that it can be beaten. You just need to take the right steps and act on them as soon as possible.