For most men, testicular cancer doesn’t rank very high on the list of preferred conversation starters. It’s not the most comfortable thing for guys to discuss. There’s a certain taboo surrounding men’s reproductive health topics that makes it difficult and sometimes even distressing for men to talk about, often making these health issues an “out of sight, out of mind” scenario. Of course, when it comes to testicular cancer, part of this may be attributed to the fact that it’s not common: Approximately 1 out of every 263 men will develop the disease in their lifetime. It’s a disease that affects children and young men typically between the teenage years up to their early 40s, when young men are in the prime of their lives. Even though the statistics are quite low, the risk of developing testicular cancer remains,and it deserves acknowledgment. The good news? This type of cancer is almost completely curable when caught in its early stages. In fact, a man’s lifetime risk of dying from the disease is very low (about 1 in 5,000). But to keep the risks low, awareness and early detection are key.
Since April is Testicular Cancer Awareness Month, it’s the perfect opportunity to make testicular self-examination something men can feel confident about. Simply being educated on what to look for and how to protect yourself can ultimately save your life.
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Let’s start with the basics: what to look for. There are a few major signs of a testicular tumor to be aware of, and the most common is a painless lump in the testicle. In addition, the swelling of a testicle, or a dull ache in the scrotum or groin area, are also grounds for a visit to the doctor. It’s important to keep in mind that these symptoms don’t necessarily mean cancer is the culprit, as they may also relate to other benign conditions, but as the saying goes, it’s better safe than sorry. Don’t put off mentioning any of these symptoms to your health care provider. The more time that passes, the higher the risk climbs for cancer to spread — so if you do have any of these symptoms, see a physician right away.
Aside from symptoms in the testicles, there are a few other potential signs of testicular cancer to be on the lookout for. Breast tenderness or growth can occur due to the production of excess hormones, as can extremely early puberty in young boys. This is characterized by deepening of the voice or rapid growth of body or facial hair. In very advanced testicular cancer cases, low back pain, pain in the stomach, shortness of breath and headaches may manifest. It can understandably be confusing to keep track of every symptom and know exactly what it may mean, but the most important take-away is to know and track your body’s baseline so you can determine when something veers from the norm.
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One of the best ways to do that is by making testicular self-exams part of your monthly routine. You’re the one who knows your body best, and keeping a close eye on any changes will provide you with the best chances of early detection of testicular cancer, and early intervention can prevent the spread of disease. If you’ve never done a self-exam before, there are just a few simple steps, and everything can be done quickly and privately.
After getting out of a warm shower, stand in front of a mirror and look for any visual changes, like swelling or unusual change in shape of the testicles. One at a time, gently roll each testicle between your thumb and fingers to feel for any lumps or hard bumps. It’s important to note that healthy testicles will be smooth and oval shaped, though it is normal for one to be slightly larger than the other. The main thing to be looking for is consistency from month to month, and with regular self-exams, you will become an expert on your body and be able to quickly spot anything irregular. If you do notice something out of the ordinary during a self-exam, make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible, and if you’re unsure, remember to always err on the side of caution.
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Most testicular cancers can be found at an early stage, and at that point, they’re easily treatable and highly curable. Gentlemen, having the power to protect your health is invaluable, but awareness is key. When it comes to testicular cancer, your life really is in your own hands, so make monthly self-exams a routine, and share what you know to help spread education and awareness to all.
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Talking About Testicular Cancer originally appeared on usnews.com
