Testicular cancer is a relatively rare form of cancer that develops when cancerous cells form in the testicles. Despite being uncommon, it is the most frequent cancer affecting young adult men, and it often goes undetected due to myths, stigma, and a general lack of awareness.

Some of the common symptoms include a hard lump in a testicle, a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum, swelling of the scrotum, pain in the lower back, swollen lymph nodes, and unexplained weight loss. However, many individuals delay seeking treatment due to embarrassment or misconceptions about the disease.

What Are Symptoms Of Testicular Cancer?

One of the most common myths is that testicular cancer, like other cancers, primarily affects the elderly. In reality, testicular cancer usually affects the younger population. It is the most common cancer among young adults, particularly those aged 15 to 45.

Another widespread myth is that smoking and alcohol consumption are leading causes of testicular cancer. While these factors can contribute to overall health risks, they are not direct causes of this specific cancer. Key risk factors include:

• Undescended testis: During fetal development, testicles form inside the abdomen and descend into the scrotum before birth. If this descent is disrupted, the condition is known as an undescended testis. This abnormal location increases the risk of germ cells becoming cancerous.
• Family history: Having a father or sibling with testicular cancer increases the risk. Additionally, a history of cancer in one testicle raises the likelihood of developing it in the other.
• Testicular dysfunction: Various conditions affecting the normal function of the testicles can also increase cancer risk.

Testicular Cancer Does Not Cause Severe Pain

Pain is often thought to be an obvious warning sign, but this, too, is a myth. Testicular cancer does not typically cause severe pain. Instead, symptoms such as enlargement or a lump in the testis, sometimes accompanied by a dull ache or dragging sensation, are more common. In advanced stages, lumps in the abdomen or swelling near the neck—particularly above the left collarbone—may occur due to the spread of cancer to the lymph nodes.

There is also a misconception that advanced imaging, like PET or MRI scans is required to detect testicular cancer. In reality, a simple ultrasound of the testicles is often sufficient to identify a tumour. In addition, blood tests measuring tumour markers—such as serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)—are valuable tools in raising suspicion and gauging the extent of disease. Contrast-enhanced CT scans of the abdomen and chest are used to determine if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Due to lingering stigma and misinformation, many men delay seeking help for symptoms. But early diagnosis significantly improves the chances of successful treatment. Awareness, education, and regular self-examinations are key to catching testicular cancer early. By dispelling myths and fostering open conversations about men’s health, we can encourage timely action and potentially save lives.

At 36-year-old Liam Handley, a fit, non-smoking man from Derbyshire, U.K., walked into his doctor’s office for the first time complaining of chest pain and palpitations, cancer was the last thing anyone suspected. Diagnosed instead with anxiety—a condition he had quietly battled for much of his adult life—Liam was sent home with increased doses of medication. What followed was a tragic and avoidable series of delays, assumptions, and overlooked warning signs that would eventually lead to his untimely death from terminal lung cancer.

Liam’s story is a heartbreaking reminder that lung cancer is not confined to those who smoke. It’s a wake-up call to patients, families, and healthcare professionals alike: lung cancer can strike anyone—regardless of lifestyle, age, or medical history.

Liam, who had red hair and dyslexia, often found himself subject to ridicule growing up. Later, his anxiety became a quiet undercurrent of his identity—something that doctors all too readily used as a blanket explanation for any new symptoms. When he reported persistent chest pain, shortness of breath, and palpitations, these signs were attributed to psychological stress.

His mother, Lynn Handley, still wonders how such critical symptoms could be missed. “Liam did not fit the stereotypical image of a lung cancer patient. He was young, a non-smoker, and in relatively good shape,” she said. “It wasn’t in our heads—and it clearly wasn’t in the GP’s either. And that’s the problem.”

How Early Signs Were Overlooked

When Liam’s symptoms intensified in mid-2020, his father took him to the hospital fearing a heart attack. Doctors discovered blood clots in his lungs—a red flag for a more serious underlying issue—but treated the clots with blood thinners and planned a CT scan that never happened due to COVID-19 delays.

As weeks passed, Liam's pain spread to his shoulders and lower back. He was prescribed stronger pain medication, but still, no further imaging or diagnostic testing was conducted by the public healthcare system. Eventually, the family paid out-of-pocket for a private CT scan. That scan changed everything.

Liam was diagnosed with metastatic lung adenocarcinoma, a form of non-small cell lung cancer that had already spread to his liver, spine, lymph nodes, and bones. The subtype—EGFR Exon19 positive—is a genetically driven mutation that disproportionately affects non-smokers and younger patients.

Despite being given just 5-6 weeks to live, Liam initially responded well to targeted therapy with Osimertinib, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. He even married his long-term partner Louise in a quiet ceremony. For a brief moment, life seemed to regain some normalcy.

But by April 2021, the cancer had progressed. His treatments stopped working, and Liam’s health began to deteriorate rapidly. Dependent on oxygen, and weakened by disease, Liam passed away in October 2021—just shy of his 37th birthday.

Lynn Handley is now committed to raising awareness about lung cancer in people who don’t smoke. “We were angry. It took nine months for Liam to get a diagnosis. Those were months we could have used to fight harder, to plan better, to say goodbye on our own terms.”

Her advocacy isn’t just rooted in grief—it’s a call to action for healthcare systems and patients around the world.

Can Non-Smokers Get Lung Cancer?

Contrary to long-held assumptions, a significant proportion of lung cancer cases now occur in people with no history of smoking. The American Cancer Society reports that approximately 10-20% of lung cancers in the U.S. are found in non-smokers, often attributed to genetic mutations like EGFR, environmental exposures, or radon gas.

These cases are more common in women, younger adults, and individuals of East Asian descent, but—as Liam’s story demonstrates—they can affect anyone.

Early Signs and Symptoms to Look Out For

Lung cancer symptoms can mimic less serious conditions, which is why they’re often dismissed or misdiagnosed. If you experience the following symptoms persistently, don’t ignore them—regardless of your age or smoking history:

• Chest pain or discomfort
• Unexplained shortness of breath
• Persistent cough or wheezing
• Shoulder, back, or rib pain
• Fatigue or sudden weight loss
• Blood in sputum (though not always present)

Liam’s story is not just about a misdiagnosis—it’s about systemic bias. The assumption that lung cancer is a “smoker’s disease” delays diagnoses in healthy, younger adults. Primary care physicians and specialists must rethink their criteria for imaging and referrals. As Lynn Handley put it, “Why wasn’t a chest X-ray even considered?”

The COVID-19 pandemic added another barrier to care—delaying critical scans and overwhelming systems worldwide. But the cost of that delay, in Liam’s case, was irreversible.

If you're experiencing unexplained respiratory symptoms—don’t hesitate to ask for further investigation. Insist on imaging. Seek second opinions. Cancer doesn’t always follow the rulebook, and neither should your approach to protecting your health.

Have you ever experienced one of those annoying headaches that's right behind your eyes, and it makes it even more difficult to concentrate or even keep your eyes open? You dismiss it, think of it as stress or getting too much screen time—but what if it's something more? Headaches related to eyes are a real thing, and they tend to go unnoticed until they begin affecting your daily activities. Whether you're always on your computer, missing eye exams, or simply believe it's "normal" to reach for a pain reliever and tough it out, this tale is your reminder to pause and pay attention to what your body—and even more specifically, your eyes—are trying to say.

Headaches are a common experience—unwelcome, usually inconvenient, and usually dismissed as the aftermath of a long day or hectic schedule but when that headache targets the back of your eyes and starts disrupting your daily routine, it's time to listen more intently. That is not tension alone it may be your body communicating something more.

For health professionals, especially ophthalmologists, chronic headaches that focus around or behind the eyes can be more than mere stress. They can be indicative of latent ocular or neurological conditions that require professional intervention. To learn when a headache can be more than just about stress—and when it's time to seek medical attention—we spoke with Dr. Neeraj Sanduja, an eye surgeon and ophthalmologist.

Link Between Your Headaches and Eyes

The eyes are intricate, high-performance organs which are used continuously—whether reading, driving, or working on computer screens. When they're being worked too hard or strained from underlying problems, they tend to express discomfort as headaches. These would usually be known as ocular headaches, and in contrast to those caused by stress, they can be accompanied with characteristic signs like eye pain, pressure, redness, or visual changes.

Dr Neeraj says, "The eyes are complex organs that work tirelessly throughout the day. When they are strained or affected by underlying conditions, the resulting discomfort can manifest as headaches. These headaches are often referred to as ocular headaches and can have specific characteristics that differentiate them from other types."

Curiously, pain felt in or around the eye isn't necessarily from the eye. Most of these are "referred pain"—a condition in which pain is felt in one location but is caused by another. This is why it is so easy to miss the actual cause, particularly when visual symptoms are minimal or none at all.

Signs Your Headache Isn't Just Stress

While stress is sure to produce headaches, the following indicators could mean that your headache stems from an eye condition or some other health problem:

1. Frequent or Daily Headaches Behind the Eyes

If you’re waking up with headaches or experiencing them routinely at the end of your workday, eye strain may be playing a central role. This is especially common in people with undiagnosed vision issues or those who stare at screens for extended hours.

2. Blurred or Fluctuating Vision

Headaches with associated changes in your ability to see clearly may point to issues like astigmatism or imbalance of the eye muscles. Such vision inconsistencies make the eyes work harder, resulting in pain that is referred to the temples or brow.

3. Eye Pain Without Redness or Obvious Irritation

If your eye appears to be fine but you still have pain in deep or rear parts of your eye, it might be connected to neurological or inflammatory disorders like optic neuritis. This necessitates urgent professional attention to eliminate pressure buildup or other severe conditions.

4. Glare, Halos, or Nausea

Conditions like glaucoma may raise intraocular pressure, leading to severe headaches and sensations like halos around lights, vomiting, or extreme eye pain. These are warning signs of the utmost concern that need immediate attention.

5. Difficulty with Focus and Coordination

A less familiar condition known as binocular vision dysfunction happens when the eyes are slightly out of alignment. This causes eye muscles to overwork, causing headaches, dizziness, and problems concentrating. Even slight misalignments can drastically affect your quality of life.

Dr Neeraj shares a list of causes which could indicate more than just a simple headache, indicating towards a serious problem at times.

Common Eye-Related Causes of Headaches

Eye Strain (Asthenopia): Prolonged activities like reading, using digital screens, or driving can strain the eye muscles. This strain often leads to a dull ache around the eyes or temples.

Uncorrected Vision Problems: Conditions such as nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), or astigmatism can cause the eyes to work harder to focus. This extra effort may result in headaches, especially after activities that require sustained focus.

Incorrect or Outdated Prescription Glasses: Wearing glasses or contact lenses with an incorrect prescription can strain the eyes, leading to headaches. Regular eye checkups are crucial to ensure your prescription is up to date.

Computer Vision Syndrome (Digital Eye Strain): Spending long hours in front of screens without adequate breaks can cause headaches due to digital eye strain. Symptoms may also include dry eyes, blurred vision, and neck pain.

Glaucoma: This condition increases intraocular pressure and can cause intense headaches, often around the eyes. Headaches due to glaucoma may be accompanied by symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or halos around lights.

Eye Muscle Imbalance: Misalignment of the eyes, even if minor, can lead to strain as the muscles work harder to maintain focus. This condition, known as binocular vision dysfunction, can cause frequent headaches.

Inflammatory Eye Conditions: Conditions like uveitis or optic neuritis (inflammation of the optic nerve) may cause severe headaches along with other symptoms such as vision changes or eye redness.

When to Seek Professional Help?

Dr Neeraj recommends, "If you experience headaches frequently and suspect they might be related to your eyes, it’s important to consult an ophthalmologist." If you’ve tried lifestyle adjustments, hydration, and stress management, and your headaches still persist, it’s time to look beyond the usual suspects. Consider seeking medical attention if:

- The headache is persistent or worsening.

- The headache is accompanied by blurry vision, eye pain, or redness.

- There are additional symptoms such as nausea, sensitivity to light, or difficulty focusing.

- You haven’t had a comprehensive eye examination in over a year.

Even if your symptoms appear to be under control, getting checked out early can avoid complications and reveal underlying conditions that could otherwise go undetected.

Diagnosis and Treatment for Eye-Related Headache

When you go to see an ophthalmologist for headaches, the test normally involves a complete determination of your visual acuity, intraocular pressure, and assessment of the optic nerves. Often, the issue might not be in the eye itself but how the eyes work together or how external usage such as screen time is affecting their health.

Depending on the diagnosis, your treatment could include:

• Corrected vision eyeglasses or contact lenses, updated.
• Lifestyle changes such as the 20-20-20 rule: look 20 feet away every 20 minutes for 20 seconds.
• Surgery or even medication for more severe conditions like glaucoma.
• Vision exercises or therapy for binocular vision dysfunction.

Prevention and Long-Term Eye Care

To avoid eye-related headaches, begin with routine eye exams—even if you don't wear glasses. When working extensively on computers or other digital devices, keep your work area well-lit, employ blue light filters, and take regular visual breaks. Drinking water and stress management will also contribute to overall eye and brain health.

It's also worth mentioning that kids and adolescents increasingly are also coming in with similar symptoms, particularly with our screen-dominated life. So, parents are to stay vigilant about behavioral signs such as irritability, squinting, or complaints of eye strain in younger generations.

All headaches are not equal. If yours center around or behind the eyes, or if they come with visual problems as a bonus, don't attribute them to stress without a probe. Your eyes may be sending a message your body can't ignore.

Dr Neeraj Sanduja is a MBBS, MS, Ophthalmologist, and Eye Surgeon at Viaan Eye and Retina Centre in India

In India, the tradition of marrying within the kin is known as endogamy. It has been a cultural cornerstone. However, this widespread practice, while deeply rooted in societal norms, is increasingly linked to a surge of inherited health conditions across the country.

As per the National Family Health Survey 2005-06, only 10% marriages in India were inter-caste and just 2.1% were interreligious. This highlights how the majority of people practice endogamy. Even, a recent genome mapping study from India's Genome Project confirmed that trend remained strong. All 83 population groups studied showed high levels of endogamy, which has led to population specific genetic mutations and disorders.

How Endogamy Contributes to Genetic Disorders?

Endogamy has increased the chances of genetic disorders, especially when it overlaps with consanguineous marriages, which means marriages between close relatives. This is much more common in the southern parts of India.

Doctors have explained that when both parents carry the same recessive gene mutation, their children have a greater risk of inheriting two copies of the faulty gene. This is also the case with thalassemia cases in India. This can also lead to the manifestation of genetic disorders, even if the parents are asymptomatic carriers.

Over generations, such selective mating within communities has further allowed rare mutations to persist and concentrate. This is resulted to what researchers refer to as "population-specific mutations". These can affect various bodily systems, including the heart, joints, and reproductive health.

What All Disorders Could Happen?

As per the study published in Nature Genetics, Dr Kumaraswamy Thangaraj, Principal Investigator of the Genome India Project, highlighted how these mutations are directly linked to early-onset cardiac issues, particularly in South India.

Unlike the North, where cardiac problems come later in life, due to lifestyle issues, people in southern parts of India are affected by population-specific mutations from a younger age.

Another health concern that the study highlighted was ankylosing spondylitis, which is a type of arthritis that affects the spine and is more common in genetically homogenous populations.

A different study in journal Nature also revealed that consanguineous marriages raise the risk of spontaneous abortions, stillbirths, neonatal and child mortality.

Another study published in the Journal of Genetics and Genomics in 2005, titled: Endogamy and high prevalence of deleterious mutations in India: evidence from strong founder events, reads: "Several Indian populations have experienced significant founder events due to strict endogamy. However, the clinical implications of it remain underexplored. Therefore, we perform whole-exome sequencing of 281 individuals from four South Indian populations, characterized by high IBD scores. Our study reveals a high inbreeding rate of 59% across the populations. We identify ∼29.2% of the variants that are exclusively present in a single population and uncover 1284 unreported exonic variants, underscoring the underrepresentation of Indian populations in global databases."

What Can Be Done to Avoid This?

Experts from time and again have stressed the need for widespread education and awareness as well as genetic counselling. Promoting inter-community marriages can also dilute the concentration of harmful genetic mutations, and also reduce the incidence of hereditary diseases.

Doctors can also play a role in advising couples on their health risks, especially if it is with regards to consanguineous marriages and encouraging genetic screening before marriage or conception.

The Genome India Project offers hope for future solutions. By mapping the genomes of more than 10,000 individuals, the project aims to identify mutations that are widespread due to endogamy. According to Dr. Thangaraj, these findings could help make diagnostics and treatments more affordable and tailored to India’s unique genetic landscape.