1. Guard Your Emotional Health
Because of the sexual side effects that can occur with testicular cancer treatment, which may include impotence, diminished libido and even surgical castration, you may need to lean on others for strength and support. If you're struggling to cope with the emotional fallout of these major changes in your life, you should ask your doctor to direct you to a support group or a mental health professional.
2. The Importance of Follow-up Care
Oncologists say that follow-up care is more important for testicular cancer patients than it is for patients suffering from any other malignancy. You'll be introduced to a regimen of follow-up tests designed to measure the efficacy of treatment and monitor the progress of your condition. Because fertility is an ongoing issue over the entire course of treatment, which can take one or more years, you should protect your ability to father children. Chemotherapy can drastically reduce your sperm count, so you might want to bank sperm before treatment begins.
3. Eat to Win
While the nausea caused by some testicular cancer treatments can make eating right a challenge, there are some simple strategies you can implement to promote better overall health. Introduce a wide variety of healthy foods to your diet, including fresh fruits and vegetables. Choose whole grains over processed bread products, avoid lunch meats, red meat and saturated fat and try to get lots of omega-3 fats from sources like cold water fish.
4. Combat Fatigue With Exercise
While it may seem counterintuitive, regular exercise actually helps you overcome the fatigue associated with many cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and radiation therapy. You'll better cope with the demands of your treatment regimen by improving your physical-fitness level. However, you shouldn't jump right into a demanding exercise regimen, particularly if you've been physically inactive for a while. Talk to your doctor, and follow his guidelines closely.
5. Implement Wiser Lifestyle Choices
Intake of excess calories, immoderate alcohol consumption and tobacco use are all thought to contribute to the development of cancer in men. Use this opportunity to shift towards wiser, healthier choices in every aspect of your life. You can beat testicular cancer, and you should prepare to enjoy a long, healthy life by living a healthier lifestyle.
