liam - testicular cancer

Question 1

read case scenario

what advice could you give to liam?

(2)

Answer 1

1. emphasise the importance of medical evaluation
2. encourage him to involve his family

Question 2

why do you think there is a delay in testicular cancer diagnosis?

(7)

“Awareness of Embarrassing Symptoms leads to Fear of Healthcare Checkups & Misdiagnosis”

Answer 2

1. lack of awareness
2. embarrassment/stigma
3. misinterpretation of symptoms
4. fear of cancer diagnosis
5. healthcare access
6. lack of regular health checkups
7. misdiagnosis

Question 3

how do you think embarrassment could negatively impact liam seeking help?

(6)

Answer 3

1. delayed reporting of symptoms
2. avoidance of healthcare professionals
3. minimisation of symptoms
4. hesitance to discuss w/ loved ones
5. impact on mental health
6. risk of self-diagnosis/treatment

Question 4

what are the 7 stages of a metastatic cascade?

Answer 4

1. local invasion
2. intravasation
3. survival in circulation
4. arrest at a secondary site
5. extravasation
6. proliferation/angiogenesis
7. formation of a secondary tumor

Question 5

what is local invasion in a metastatic cascade?

Answer 5

cancer cells breaking away from primary tumor, invading nearby tissues

Question 6

what is intravasation in a metastatic cascade?

Answer 6

some cancer cells enter nearby blood vessels (allows them to travel through bloodstream to distant sites in the body)

Question 7

what is arrest at a secondary site in a metastatic cascade?

Answer 7

as cancer cells flow through the bloodstream, they may become lodged in the capillaries of distant organs

Question 8

what is extravasation in a metastatic cascade?

Answer 8

once arrested in a distant organ, cancer cells must exit blood vessel

Question 9

what is proliferation/angiogenesis in a metastatic cascade?

Answer 9

divide/multiply at the secondary site, can induce formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) to supply oxygen & nutrients to the growing metastatic tumor

Question 10

what are 8 risk factors of testicular cancer?

Answer 10

1. age (15-40)
2. cryptorchidism (undescended testicle)
3. family history
4. personal history
5. klinefelter syndrome (genetic disorder, presence of extra X)
6. race/ethnicity (caucasians)
7. HIV infection
8. testicular microlithiasis (presence of tiny calcium deposits in testicles)

Question 11

what 14 pieces of advice could you give to parents who want to discuss testicular self examination with their sons?

“BRE BEAR USEFuL Ti/PS”

Answer 11

1. be supportive
2. reassure privacy
3. emphasise normalcy
4. be informed
5. encourage regular checks
6. answer questions
7. remove stigma
8. use age-appropriate language
9. start w/ basics
10. explain purpose
11. follow up (ensure he’s comfortable w/ procedure & understands)
12. lead by example
13. time/place (comfortable/private, uniterrupted)
14. show how it’s done