The Importance of Testicular Self-Exams: Why You Should Check Your Balls For Cancer

An estimated 8,430 males in America will be diagnosed with testicular cancer this year. Of this number, it is estimated that around 380 men will die from this disease annually. These deaths happen when testicular cancer spreads from the testicles to other locations in the body and cannot be treated effectively with radiation, chemotherapy or surgery.

What Is Testicular Cancer?                                                      

Testicular cancer develops inside a man's testicles, which are located inside the scrotum or "ball sack". The testicles are responsible for producing male sex hormones and sperm. When compared with other forms of cancer, this type is extremely rare, but testicular cancer is most common in young men between the ages of 15 and 35.

What Are The Symptoms Of Testicular Cancer?

A man may notice the following signs and symptoms that could be indicative of testicular cancer:

• Back pain and/or discomfort
• A lump or enlargement in either one and/or both testicles
• Dull aching in the groin and/or abdomen
• A heavy feeling in the scrotum
• Sudden edema in the scrotum
• Pain and/or discomfort in the testicle(s) or scrotum

Most often testicular cancer is localized to one testicle only.

Testicular Cancer: Causes

The precise cause or causes of testicular cancer are often unclear in most cases. Doctors know that this cancer happens when healthy cells in the testicles become altered in some way. Healthy cells will normally grow and divide in an orderly fashion to keep a man’s body functioning in a healthy manner. However, when abnormalities develop and disrupt cell growth, it can cause out of control growth and result in cancer.

What Are The Risk Factors?

A man can face an increased risk of testicular cancer and the following factors can play a role in the situation:

• Race: Testicular cancer is much more common in Caucasian males than in African-American males.
• Age: This cancer can affect teens and young men, however those between the ages of 15-35 are especially at risk.
• Family history: Those with a family history of testicular cancer can have a higher than average risk.
• Undescended testicles: Cryptorchidism is a medical condition in which a testicle is undescended and remains in the abdomen. Males who have a testicle that has never dropped into the scrotum are at a higher than average risk of testicular cancer.
• Abnormal testicle development: Health conditions that result in abnormal testicle development may increase a man’s risks of testicular cancer.

Testicular Cancer Prevention

Unfortunately, there is no way a man can prevent his risk of testicular cancer. Some physicians recommend men do a monthly testicular self-exam in order to identify any abnormalities or changes. However, not all doctors agree, so you should discuss self-exams with your own personal physician, if you have any questions or concerns or if you wish to find out more information.

Testicular Cancer, Tests, Diagnosis, And How To Perform A Testicular Self-Exam

In many instances, men will discover testicular cancer either unintentionally or while performing a self-exam. Some other men will have the disease diagnosed by a physician during a normal routine physical examination. To determine if a male’s lump is actually cancerous, a physician might order any or all of the following tests:

• Blood test: A doctor might order blood testing to find out the levels of tumor markers in a man’s blood. Tumor makers are substances that are normally found in the human blood, but levels being elevated could indicate a person may have cancer. A high level of tumor marker in the blood doesn’t always mean cancer, but it could help a doctor determine the proper diagnosis.
• Ultrasound: An ultrasound of the testicles will involve the use of sound waves to create a picture of the scrotum and testicles. During this ultrasound, a man will lay on his back with his legs spread. A doctor or ultrasound technologist will apply a clear gel to the region and use a hand-held probe to produce the image. Performing an ultrasound can help a physician get a determination of the nature and size of any lumps and if they are filled with fluid or not.
• Surgery: If a doctor wants to find out if a man’s lump is cancerous, it may be necessary to perform a testicular biopsy. The testicle will be removed and then sent off to a laboratory to be studied to find out if it is malignant and if so, what type of cancer is present.

How To Perform A Testicular Self-Examination

A man can perform a monthly testicular self-examination in the privacy of his own home, in order to track if there are any changes and to help aid in early detection and diagnosis. The following steps explain how to perform a testicular self-exam at home:

• Gently touch and feel the scrotal sac and find your testicles
• Using one hand, stabilize the testicle. Using fingers and thumb on each hand, firmly but gently feel each testicle and make sure to do it to the entire surface.
• Check the other testicle in the same manner.

What If You Do Find A Lump?

When detected and diagnosed early, testicular cancer is highly treatable. With early detection the methods for treating this cancer are much better and often less aggressive than what would have to be used if it were found in later stages. The type of treatment a man receives for testicular cancer will depend on its stage and type. Most commonly the methods used for treatment include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.

READ The Ten Most Common Testicular Cancer Myths

Survival rates for testicular cancer depend on the previous outcomes experienced by a large number of people. However, it is important to remember that each person’s situation is very different as is what will happen in any person’s particular case. Many other issues play an important role into the outcome a man will have when battling testicular cancer and how well he responds to treatment. It is a good idea to speak with your physician and/or cancer specialists to find out more information about your testicular cancer prognosis and to find out what type of treatment options would work best for you.