Balls. Nuts. Sack. While there are plenty of nicknames for our hormone-and sperm-producing sex organs, how many guys actually know anything about testicle health? For instance, did you know that testicular cancer is the most common cancer in men younger than age 35? Or that about half of all testicular cancer cases are in men between the ages of 20 and 34? That ought to make your jockstrap flinch. Show
The good news is that testicular cancer, while rare, is entirely treatable if caught early. That’s where regular testicular self-exams come in. Because most testicular cancer growths are painless, self-exams are critical to catching potential problems early on. How to check yourself for testicular cancerStep 1: Know thy nutsOne size fits all does not apply to testicles, which can range from grape-sized to small egg-sized, and one is usually slightly larger than the other. At the back of each testicle is a coiled tube called the epididymis, which stores sperm. The rest of the plumbing is called the Vas deferens, which connects sperm to the rest of the unit. Step 2: Pre-game warm upIf you’ve just taken a plunge in a cold lake, it’s not the ideal time to do a testicular exam. Instead, aim for after a shower or bath when your scrotum is relaxed. Step 3: Hands on the ball(s)Stand in front of a mirror and check for swelling on the scrotal skin. Feel the testicles and check them for lumps, swelling, shrinking, and other signs of a problem. Roll each testicle gently between your thumb and index/middle fingers from top to bottom, feeling for unusual lumps or texture. It’s not going to feel completely smooth, so don’t panic. But if you feel a pea-sized lump, get it double-checked by a doctor. At what age can you get testicular cancer?The Canadian Cancer Society recommends that by the time guys are 15, they should be well acquainted with their ball sacks. That way, you will be able to tell if there is any change to how they look or feel. Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in men 15-29 years of age. However, men of any age can get testicular cancer. So keep checking no matter what your age is. Risk factorsThere are known risk factors for testicular cancer, such as family history, undescended testicles, and a tall adult height. For the full list, check out the Canadian Cancer Society. Ball Checker appNeed some help remembering to check-in on your balls every month? There’s an app for that! You can download the Ball Checker App for both iOS and Android. By giving your gonads a monthly once-over, you can ensure there are no lumps, bumps, or swelling to worry about. Have you tried the Ball Checker App or have other ways to remember to do a self check every month? Tell us about it in the comments below. To perform a testicular self-examination, grasp and roll the testicle between your thumbs and forefingers, feeling for lumps, swelling, hardness or other changes. A testicular self-exam is an inspection of the appearance and feel of your testicles. You can do a testicular exam yourself, typically standing in front of a mirror. Routine testicular self-exams can give you a greater awareness of the condition of your testicles and help you detect changes. Self-exams can also alert you to potential testicular problems. If you detect lumps or other changes during a testicular self-exam, make an appointment with your doctor. Products & Services
Why it's doneTesticular self-exams help you learn how your testicles normally look and feel. Then you're more likely to notice subtle changes. Changes in your testicles could be a sign of a common benign condition, such as an infection or a cyst, or a less common condition, such as testicular cancer. Who should consider regular testicular exams?It's not clear who should consider regular testicular self-exams. Though often promoted as a way to detect testicular cancer, testicular self-exams aren't proved to reduce the risk of dying of the disease. Testicular cancer is a relatively uncommon type of cancer. It's also highly treatable at all stages, so finding testicular cancer early doesn't make a cure more likely. Doctors and medical organizations differ on their recommendations for testicular self-exams. If you're concerned about your risk of testicular cancer, discuss the issue with your doctor. Together, you can decide whether regular testicular self-exams are right for you. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic RisksPerforming a testicular self-exam doesn't pose any direct risks. However, if you notice something unusual that concerns you, the follow-up exams might lead to unnecessary worry and medical tests. For example, if you discover a suspicious lump, you might have tests to determine its cause. This could involve blood tests, ultrasound exams or a procedure to remove testicle tissue for examination (biopsy). If the lump is noncancerous (benign), you might feel that you've undergone an unnecessary invasive procedure. How you prepareNo special preparation is necessary to do a testicular self-exam. You might find a testicular self-exam is easier during or after a warm bath or shower. Heat relaxes the scrotum, making it easier for you to check for anything unusual. What you can expectTo do a testicular self-exam, stand unclothed in front of a mirror. Then:
While you're doing the testicular self-exam, you might notice a few things about your testicles, such as bumps on the skin of your scrotum, that seem unusual but aren't signs of cancer. Ingrown hairs, a rash or other skin problems can cause bumps on the skin. You might also feel a soft, ropy cord, which is a normal part of the scrotum called the epididymis. It leads upward from the top of the back part of each testicle. ResultsMake an appointment with your doctor if you find a lump or other change during a testicular self-exam. Depending on the circumstances, your doctor might do a testicular exam followed by a blood test, ultrasound or biopsy. Most changes in your testicles aren't caused by testicular cancer. A number of noncancerous conditions can cause changes in your testicles, such as a cyst, injury, infection, hernia and collection of fluid around the testicles (hydrocele). By Mayo Clinic Staff Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic Dec. 07, 2022 Share on: FacebookTwitter Show references
RelatedProducts & Services
Testicular exam
AdvertisementMayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. How can I test myself for testicular cancer?To perform a testicular self-examination, grasp and roll the testicle between your thumbs and forefingers, feeling for lumps, swelling, hardness or other changes. A testicular self-exam is an inspection of the appearance and feel of your testicles.
What are 5 warning signs of testicular cancer?Symptoms. A lump or swelling in either testicle.. A feeling of heaviness in the scrotum.. A dull ache in the lower belly or groin.. Sudden swelling in the scrotum.. Pain or discomfort in a testicle or the scrotum.. Enlargement or tenderness of the breast tissue.. Back pain.. How does a testicle tumor feel?Typical symptoms are a painless swelling or lump in 1 of the testicles, or any change in shape or texture of the testicles. The swelling or lump can be about the size of a pea, but may be larger.
What is one of the first signs of testicular cancer?Most often, the first symptom of testicular cancer is a lump on the testicle, or the testicle becomes swollen or larger. (It's normal for one testicle to be slightly larger than the other, and for one to hang lower than the other.) Some testicular tumors might cause pain, but most of the time they don't.
|
How to check for testicular cancer at home
Related Posts
Copyright © 2024 en.apacode Inc.
