27/07/2026

MONDAY | JULY 27, 2026

26

HEALTH

Painless lump may be first sign T ESTICULAR cancer is the most common solid cancer affecting young men, yet awareness of the disease o Everything important young Malaysian men need to know about testicular cancer

remains relatively low. Globally, around one in 250 males will develop the disease, making it the most common solid cancer among men aged 15 to 35, with an average age of diagnosis of just 33. Yet despite how early in life it strikes, specialists emphasise testicular cancer is also one of the most curable cancers today. Advances in treatment have dramatically changed outcomes for patients. Due to advances in medical treatment, testicular cancer has a five-year survival rate of 95% especially when early diagnosis and treatment was achieved. Early sign that cannot be ignored Testicular cancer often presents with early warning signs that can be subtle and easily overlooked. Because the condition is usually painless, many men dismiss these changes or delay seeking medical advice. However, any painless lump in the testicle should be promptly assessed and referred to a urologist. The early sign of testicular cancer is a painless swelling of one testicle. This may be noted by the patient himself or sometimes by his sexual partner. To support early detection, regular testicular self-examination should be routinely performed by all men, especially those in younger age groups. How testicular cancer is diagnosed Once a lump is detected, diagnosis is usually straightforward. An ultrasound of the testes is the first step.

period, effective treatment options remain available. For patients with Stage II or Stage III disease, chemotherapy remains the cornerstone of treatment. Chemotherapy is very effective for testicular cancers. Even when testicular cancer is diagnosed at a more advanced stage, outcomes remain encouraging. About 70% of patients can be completely cured with chemotherapy, even at advanced stages. Surgical advances, faster recovery For some patients, chemotherapy may leave behind enlarged lymph nodes. In these cases, a specialised procedure known as retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) may be recommended to remove remaining cancerous tissue. Studies have reported five-year survival rates of between 85% and 95% following surgery. Traditionally, RPLND was performed as open surgery, which typically involves a larger incision and longer recovery time. Today, robotic-assisted surgery is available in selected centres for carefully chosen patients. Because of the smaller incisions, recovery time is much shorter. Many patients are able to return to their normal daily activities within weeks. However, careful patient selection and surgical expertise remain essential, and open surgery continues to be considered the gold standard for more complex cases.

A simple ultrasound has a 90% accuracy rate for diagnosing testicular cancer. If a test is positive for cancer, then a more in-depth test such as blood tests to check tumour markers and CT scans of the abdomen and lungs are also performed to determine the stage of the cancer, which shows whether it has spread beyond the testicle. When detected early, testicular cancer is usually limited to the testicle, known as Stage I disease. More advanced stages indicate spread to nearby lymph nodes or organs such as the lungs or bones. Early action, minimal disruption For men diagnosed early, treatment is often straightforward and has little impact on daily life. Stage I testicular cancer is treated with an orchidectomy, a minor operation to remove the affected testicle, typically involving just a one day hospital stay. Outcomes at this stage are highly reassuring, with 70% to 85% of patients cured with surgery alone. In some cases, a single course of chemotherapy may be advised as an added precaution. Orchidectomy usually does not affect sexual function or fertility if the remaining testis has normal function. Staying on track after treatment Following treatment, patients are monitored closely for at least five years through regular check-ups. While a small proportion may experience recurrence during this

Testicular cancer is one of the most curable cancers today, with a five-year survival rate of 95%. – HANDOUT PIC

awareness is the first line of defence. Taking a moment to perform a simple self-check and seeking medical advice when something feels unusual could make the difference between early treatment and a more serious diagnosis. This article is contributed by Dr Murali Sundram Mikaail Abdullah, consultant urologist and robotic surgeon at Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City. involved isosteviol, a sweetener widely used in the food and beverage industry, and the antidepressant duloxetine. The combination strongly suppressed Roseburia intestinalis and Parabacteroides merdae, two gut bacterial species that play important roles in maintaining digestive health. The researchers also created a synthetic microbial community containing all 25 bacterial species to provide a simplified model of what might happen in the human gut. Further analysis indicated the combination increased toxicity toward certain host cells and interfered with cells involved in inflammation and immune responses. “Sweeteners are often marketed as metabolically neutral, but our study challenges this idea,” said Sonja Blasche, lead author of the study at the university’s Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit. The researchers stressed that the experiments were conducted in the laboratory and not in humans. Further research is needed before any conclusions can be drawn about the direct effects of sweeteners on human health. – Bernama-Xinhua

Ultimately, the message is clear: Testicular cancer may affect young men, but it is also one of the most treatable cancers when detected early. Testicular cancer commonly presents as a painless swelling of the testicle. Regular testicular self examination allows the disease to be detected at an early stage, when treatment outcomes are excellent. For young Malaysian men, The study, published in the journal Molecular Systems Biology , examined the direct effects of artificial and low-calorie sweeteners on gut bacteria, and how these effects changed when the sweeteners were combined with substances including caffeine, flavourings and medicines. Researchers grew 25 species of gut bacteria in the laboratory, including beneficial, neutral and potentially harmful species. They exposed each species to 39 commercially used sweeteners, artificial and naturally derived varieties. About three-quarters of the sweeteners affected the growth of at least one bacterial species. Some slowed or stopped the growth of bacteria associated with a healthy gut, the study found. The researchers then tested the sweeteners in combination with caffeine, vanillin, another artificial sweetener called advantame and eight commonly used drugs. They identified more than 100 interactions in which the sweeteners’ effects changed when combined with other substances. In 34 cases, the combinations strengthened the effects, while in 68 cases they weakened them. The most notable interaction

Cambridge study finds sweeteners may alter gut bacteria in lab tests COMMONLY used sweeteners can slow or stop the growth of certain gut bacteria in laboratory tests, and their effects may also change when combined with medicines or other widely consumed substances, according to a study released recently by the University of Cambridge, reported Xinhua.

Researchers find that artificial sweeteners can impact the growth of gut bacteria. – 123RFPIC