Cancer Observance Calendar

April

Testicular and Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month

 

 Testicular Cancer 

The American Cancer Society’s estimates for testicular cancer in the United States for 2023 are:

• About 9,190 new cases of testicular cancer diagnosed
• About 470 deaths from testicular cancer

The incidence rate of testicular cancer has been increasing in the US and many other countries for several decades.   The increase is mostly in seminomas.   Experts have not been able to find reasons for this.   Lately, the rate of increase has slowed. Testicular cancer is not common:  about 1 of every 250 males will develop testicular cancer at some point during their lifetime. The average age of males when first diagnosed with testicular cancer is about 33.   This is largely a disease of young and middle-aged men, but about 6% of cases occur in children and teens, and about 8% occur in men older than 55. Because testicular cancer usually can be treated successfully, a man’s lifetime risk of dying from this cancer is very low: about 1 in 5,000. Story of Hope:  Testicular Cancer Survivor: ‘Life is a Roller Coaster’

Esophageal Cancer

The American Cancer Society’s estimates for esophageal cancer in the United States for 2023 are:

• About 21,560 new esophageal cancer cases diagnosed (17,030 in men and 4,530 in women)
• About 16,120 deaths from esophageal cancer (12,920 in men and 3,200 in women)

Esophageal cancer is more common among men than among women.   The lifetime risk of esophageal cancer in the United States is about 1 in 125 in men and about 1 in 417 in women. Overall, the rates of esophageal cancer in the United States have been fairly stable for many years, but over the past decade they have been decreasing slightly.   It is most common in White people.   Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of cancer of the esophagus among White people, while squamous cell carcinoma is more common in African Americans, American Indian, Alaska Natives, and Hispanics have lower rates of esophageal cancer, followed by Asians and Pacific Islanders. Esophageal cancer makes up about 1% of all cancers diagnosed in the United States, but is much more common in some parts of the world, such as Iran, northern China, India, and southern Africa. Although many people with esophageal cancer will go on to die from this disease, treatment has improved and survival rates are getting better.   During the 1960s and 1970s, only about 5% of patients survived at least 5 years after being diagnosed.   Now, about 20% of patients survive at least 5 years after diagnosis.   This number includes patients with all stages of esophageal cancer.   Survival rates for people with early state cancer are higher. For More information:  What to Do if You Have Esophagus Cancer

April is National Cancer Control Month 

Since 1938, the President of the United States has proclaimed April as National Cancer Control Month.   This month is dedicated to raising awareness for cancer prevention and treatment throughout the United States.  For many years, the death tolls from cancer have steadily declined, due in part to better education and heightened awareness about how to prevent certain types of cancer, recognize the signs and symptoms of cancer, and how to seek proper treatment.   Screening is one of the most effective ways to detect pre-cancerous cells and provide early treatment.