Guys! April marks testicular cancer awareness month. Now, before shaking your head at yet another themed month, consider the fact that a shockingly high number of men are unable to identify symptoms of the disease.
Facts about Testicular cancer
Testicular cancer, which is caused when cells begin to reproduce uncontrollably within the male reproductive organs, is the most common cancer in men under 45.
- A man’s lifetime riskof developing testicular cancer is approximately 1 in 250
- It accounts for 1% of all the cancers in men
- It usually affects young men (age 15 – 39) in their prime of youth
- Testicular cancer has the highest cure ratesamong all cancers (>90%)
- Like all cancers, it can recur
- There are two common typesof testicular cancers; seminomas, or slow growing cancer and non-seminomas, or fast growing cancer
- Prominent symptomsinclude pain/swelling/lumps in testicles/groin areas
- Prominent risk factorsinclude undescended testis (cryptorchidism), family history, mumps and inguinal hernia
- Surgical removal of a testicle will not affect Chemotherapy, on the other hand, can harm sperm count/quality. Sperm banking may then be considered.
Typical signs of cancer in its initial stage:
- a painless (or painful) swelling or lump in/on the testicle
- a feeling of heaviness in the testicle
- a light twinge in the groin
Typical signs of cancer in an advanced stage:
- enlargement of the affected testicle
- enlarged abdominal lymph nodes
- enlarged or painful mammary glands
(Taken from love-your-nuts.com)
A man will notice the first signs of testicular cancer himself. But normally by the time they go and see a doctor, the first metastases have already formed in one third of the cases.
Self-examination
Every guy should carefully feel both testicles for thickening and hardening once a month. The best time for this check is when the scrotum is limp and soft – that is, when outside temperatures are warm.
The best time for you to examine your testicles is during or after a bath or shower, when the skin of the scrotum is relaxed.
- Hold the penis out of the way and examine each testicle separately.
- Hold the testicle between your thumbs and fingers with both hands and roll it gently between the fingers.
- Look and feel for any hard lumps or nodules (smooth rounded masses) or any change in the size, shape, or consistency of the testes.
You can also make use of the self-exam app on the Google Play Store, Ball Checker App. Be a man and self-exam.
Check out the following resources for more info on men’s health:
- Visit Cansa.org for more info on men’s health.
- Join the Nuts n Bolts Rally to raise funds and awareness for testicular cancer.
