Testicular cancer

Testicular cancer is currently the most common cancer for men aged between 20 and 35.

Part of the difficulty with testicular cancer has been in getting men to examine themselves and then seek advice if something seems to be wrong. Self examinations are important as they help us not only check for problems but also to familiarise ourselves with what is normal. Changes are easier to spot if something suddenly seems to be unusual. Also because testicular cancer can appear as a lump on the testicles, it may be mistaken for the common sports injury, groin strain.

There is no clear cause of testicular cancer, although some groups of people seem to be more vulnerable than others. Men who had undescended testicles (testicles that don’t drop down to the scrotum) when they were young seem to be more at risk.

Checking for Testicular cancer
(The following information is taken from '4 Boys: A Below-the-Belt guide to the male body' published by the Family Planning Association, 1995.)

Here's how to examine yourself. A relaxing warm bath or shower makes examination easier. It's easier to test for lumps and bumps when you're standing up because gravity makes your balls hang down.

Stand in front of a mirror to look for any swelling or change in size. One ball (usually the left) may hang slightly lower than the other.
Feel each ball in turn. Use both hands. With your thumb on the top and your index finger beneath, gently roll the ball. You will find a hard sausage shaped ridge on top of the ball. This is normal (it's called the epididymis, where the sperm is stored).
Weigh each ball in your cupped hand. One ball should not be heavier than the other.

Testicular cancer doesn't happen very often and it can be cured. Most lumps and bumps will not be cancers, but one might be. If you have any of the following warning signs, talk to your doctor:

• a dull ache in your balls;
• a small hard, painless lump;
• one ball growing larger than the other;
• one ball growing larger than the other;
• blood coming from the penis.

Fortunately for 90% of men who have it detected in time, can be effectively treated. If it is allowed to develop it can spread elsewhere in the body.