Abstract
Testicular germ cell tumours, although relatively uncommon, are the most common malignancy amongst men aged 20-39. They are important because they affect men in their most reproductive years. The last decade has seen dramatic improvements in survival rates and there is increasing emphasis on the quality of life for survivors. The present study aimed to examined the psychosocial impact of testicular cancer upon men cured of testicular tumours. Forty one men with a diagnosis of either seminoma or teratoma testicular cancer were recruited for psychosocial assessment via interview and questionnaire. The study paid particular attention to the men’s personal models or illnesses representations of testicular cancer. These are viewed along four common themes of identity, cause, consequences and cure control. The experimental hypothesis predicted that illness representations would predict the men’s psychological well-being both directly and indirectly, via coping. The study found that there were both adverse and positive consequences of testicular cancer, but most of the men recovered well physically and psychologically, and there was very little psychological morbidity in the sample. Several factors were found to be related to psychological distress. Those men who are highly educated, without a partner, may want children in the future, but have concerns about their fertility, or view their own state of mind as having caused their illness may be psychologically at risk. Illness representations about testicular cancer were examined for their association to psychological outcome. The experimental hypothesis was unsupported, no particular belief was found to predict psychological adjustment directly or indirectly. These results should be viewed tentatively, the study had many methodological problems, and these are discussed.