"Examine your testicles" action is finished

17.01.2022

Dozens of detected lesions, one diagnosed cancer and 350 examined patients, 150 of whom were referred for USG – this is the summary of the campaign Zbadaj swoje jądra (Examine your testicles) carried out from November to December 2021 at the Division of Radiology of the University Clinical Centre, MUG’s clinical hospital by students and doctors from our University.

The initiatior of the action was Michał Gąsiorowski, M.D. from the Division of Radiology of the MUG. On his initiative, each interested person could benefit from a free examination and receive a referral for an ultrasound in case of any worrying doubts.

– In most patients, the observed changes required further observation, but there is no cancer risk in their case. In some of them, we have detected those that cause a ten times increase in the risk of cancer, so these patients will remain under constant control – explained Michał Gąsiorowski, M.D. – It seems that thanks to such actions we break the barrier of shame. The young people were eager and had no resistance – they were outraged by the fact that the access to such research was so difficult. I believe that if a man is concerned and wants to get tested, this path should be easier.

– The action was badly needed. We managed to find one tumor in a young person with a size of 4 mm that the patient would not otherwise know about. Thanks to this, we saved his life or at least improved its quality. The initiative showed the incredible sensitivity of doctors and students. They do not only think about themselves, but also about our health in the future and come out to meet us – added Prof. Edyta Szurowska, Head of the 2nd Division of Radiology, Vice-Rector for Clinical Affairs of the MUG.

– Testicular tumors develop without symptoms. Only a palpation examination, which the patient can carry out on his own, e.g. in the shower, should worry him. It is a serious disease, but it is completely curable if the patient consults the urologist early enough – told Wojciech Piaskowski, M.D. from the Department of Urology of the MUG.

Students and doctors involved in the campaign performed the examinations in their spare time as part of voluntary work. The campaign turned out to be a great success, and the organizers are already announcing its next edition. They also point to plans to set up a clinic where patients could report directly without having to obtain a referral at first. The idea is to be discussed with the hospital management.

photo: Sylwia Mierzewska/UCC