How I helped discover my partner’s testicular cancer
Los nombres han sido cambiados para proteger el anonimato.
I wouldn’t say I was spending all that much time with Mark’s testicles—I mean sure, partners are familiar with each other’s bodies—sometimes more familiar with their body than your own. But when I asked why one testicle was a different size than the other in December 2012, it was a naïve question that I was genuinely curious (not concerned) about. I mean, people have different size feet, different size ears, I thought it was a silly question. I never thought it was going to turn into anything serious.
But by bringing it up, it put the idea in Mark’s mind that something could be wrong. A few weeks later he didn’t feel pain, but a sensation that was enough for him to bring up with his doctor. I’m so thankful Mark was proactive about his health and went in right away, telling his doctor about the size difference and sensation he was experiencing. While it’s possible for one testicle to be different in size than the other, if the change in size is sudden or if you also have pain—like Mark experienced—you should see your health care provider as soon as possible.
El médico me hizo una ecografía y pensó que todo estaba bien. Conocer antecedentes familiares de la enfermedad puede ponerlo en mayor riesgo, presionamos para obtener una segunda opinión. (Es por eso que no puedo atribuirme todo el mérito por descubrir su diagnóstico: el padre de Mark tenía cáncer testicular). Después de una resonancia magnética, Mark y su médico decidieron operarse para determinar qué estaba pasando. Resultó que la diferencia de tamaño se debía a una masa cancerosa. La cirugía fue el único tratamiento que necesitaba y hoy, Mark lleva 10 años libre de cáncer.
Como escritora sobre salud y alguien que lo ha experimentado de primera mano a través de una pareja, sé la importancia de detectar el cáncer a tiempo. Cuanto mejor sea el hábito de revisar formalmente su cuerpo cada mes, mejor. Conocer tu cuerpo y el de tu pareja lo suficientemente bien como para notar un cambio puede marcar la diferencia.
When I brought up that naïve question over ten years ago, I never thought it would lead to a cancer diagnosis. We ask ourselves how much to freak out about every little thing we notice, but if there’s one thing I know now, it’s that if what you say can save a life—say it.
LEER MÁS | 5 cosas que quizás no sabías sobre el cáncer testicular