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Testicular Cancer in Australia
Name
Institution
, 2
Testicular Cancer in Australia
Introduction
Cancer is a term that originates from the Latin word meaning crab. Cancer is a disease
that is characterized by nonstop multiplication of the cells specific in a body organ. Cancers
refers to many diseases but in all cases the cells of the body multiply in an unregulated and
abnormal manner. Testicles, also referred to as the testes or the gonads, are rarely affected by
cancer. Testicular cancer is common in males with an age of between 15-35 years old. Some of
the testicular cancer symptoms are like lumps in the testicle, testicle enlargement, scrotum
heaviness, testicle, lower abdominal and the groin dull ache, sudden fluid collection in scrotum,
and breast enlargement and tenderness. This paper seeks to understand the state of testicular
cancer among other cancers affecting males in the Australian community. In specific, the risk
theory and Marx’s theory have been used to explain why reported cases of testicular cancer are
very few and prognosis is very poor in Australian men.
Epidemiology
Testicular carcinoma is a rare tumor amongst the young male population found in South
Australia. Most of the testicular cancer is the tumors of the germ cells. Because cancer of the
germ cell is the more common type of the testicular cancer, testicular cancer has resulted to be
referred to as testicular cancer of the germ cells (TGCT). Worldwide, testicular cancer is
common among men with ancestry from northern Europe and less common among men from
African or Asian descent (William, 2010). According to the Australian statistical data on
testicular cancer, it is reviewed that testicular cancer is the second most common form of cancer
in men of age ranging from 18-39 years old. About 95% of the males whole are diagnosed with
testicular cancer at an early age survive. Most of the men affected by testicular cancer have an
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age of less than 33 years while it is only a quarter of those who are diagnosed with testicular
cancer who have more than 40 years. The number of people diagnosed with testicular cancer is
steadily increasing with a 2% increase each year since 1982. The treatment of testicular cancer
has improved since 1972 in Australia due to improved chemotherapy
Prevalence of cancer in Australia
The prevalence of different forms of cancer in Australia is higher than the incidence rate
of the different forms of cancer in the region. According to the AIHW & AACR (2004),
approximately 2% of the Australian population has been diagnosed with neoplasm, with 84%
reported of malignant form and 14% with benign form of carcinoma. The number of people
reported to suffer from skin cancer have been on an increase with the year 2001 and 2005 having
94,300 and 147,900 cases of skin cancer diagnosed respectively. Of all the cancer cases in year
2004-05, 53% were men and 47% were women. Cancer prevalence is high in people with more
than 65 years old, with 11% being males and 4% being females.
Table 1: Incidence and Mortality in Australia of Testicular Cancer as Observed in 2007 and
2010 Estimation
Incidence Mortality
Males females persons males females persons
Number
2007 698 - 698 26 - 26
2010 680 - 680 30 - 30
estimated
Age
standardized
rate
2007 6.8 - - 0.3 - -
CI (95%) 6.3-7.3 - - 0.2-0.4 - -
2010 6 - - 0 - -
estimated
Other
Testicular Cancer in Australia
Name
Institution
, 2
Testicular Cancer in Australia
Introduction
Cancer is a term that originates from the Latin word meaning crab. Cancer is a disease
that is characterized by nonstop multiplication of the cells specific in a body organ. Cancers
refers to many diseases but in all cases the cells of the body multiply in an unregulated and
abnormal manner. Testicles, also referred to as the testes or the gonads, are rarely affected by
cancer. Testicular cancer is common in males with an age of between 15-35 years old. Some of
the testicular cancer symptoms are like lumps in the testicle, testicle enlargement, scrotum
heaviness, testicle, lower abdominal and the groin dull ache, sudden fluid collection in scrotum,
and breast enlargement and tenderness. This paper seeks to understand the state of testicular
cancer among other cancers affecting males in the Australian community. In specific, the risk
theory and Marx’s theory have been used to explain why reported cases of testicular cancer are
very few and prognosis is very poor in Australian men.
Epidemiology
Testicular carcinoma is a rare tumor amongst the young male population found in South
Australia. Most of the testicular cancer is the tumors of the germ cells. Because cancer of the
germ cell is the more common type of the testicular cancer, testicular cancer has resulted to be
referred to as testicular cancer of the germ cells (TGCT). Worldwide, testicular cancer is
common among men with ancestry from northern Europe and less common among men from
African or Asian descent (William, 2010). According to the Australian statistical data on
testicular cancer, it is reviewed that testicular cancer is the second most common form of cancer
in men of age ranging from 18-39 years old. About 95% of the males whole are diagnosed with
testicular cancer at an early age survive. Most of the men affected by testicular cancer have an
, 3
age of less than 33 years while it is only a quarter of those who are diagnosed with testicular
cancer who have more than 40 years. The number of people diagnosed with testicular cancer is
steadily increasing with a 2% increase each year since 1982. The treatment of testicular cancer
has improved since 1972 in Australia due to improved chemotherapy
Prevalence of cancer in Australia
The prevalence of different forms of cancer in Australia is higher than the incidence rate
of the different forms of cancer in the region. According to the AIHW & AACR (2004),
approximately 2% of the Australian population has been diagnosed with neoplasm, with 84%
reported of malignant form and 14% with benign form of carcinoma. The number of people
reported to suffer from skin cancer have been on an increase with the year 2001 and 2005 having
94,300 and 147,900 cases of skin cancer diagnosed respectively. Of all the cancer cases in year
2004-05, 53% were men and 47% were women. Cancer prevalence is high in people with more
than 65 years old, with 11% being males and 4% being females.
Table 1: Incidence and Mortality in Australia of Testicular Cancer as Observed in 2007 and
2010 Estimation
Incidence Mortality
Males females persons males females persons
Number
2007 698 - 698 26 - 26
2010 680 - 680 30 - 30
estimated
Age
standardized
rate
2007 6.8 - - 0.3 - -
CI (95%) 6.3-7.3 - - 0.2-0.4 - -
2010 6 - - 0 - -
estimated
Other
