Monthly testicular self-exams (TSE) can save your scrotum. It’s a risk-free, pain-free way to check your testes for potential problems because testicular cancer comes with virtually no obvious symptoms or pain. According to the National Cancer Institute, cancer of the testes is the most common cancer in men 15 to 35 years of age.
Roughly over 7,000 men will develop a testicular malignancy this year, but it will kill only 300 men. It is one of the most curable kinds of cancer and is often treatable in its later stages, but the danger of it spreading is why it’s important to catch it early.
Any man can get the disease but there are some risk factors: being young, being Caucasian (4.5 times greater incidence than African Americans), if it runs in your family, and if you were born with an undescended testicle.
It’s supposedly easy to examine your testicles. Ideally, TSE should be done after a bath or shower so that you and your scrotum can relax, making it easier to feel anything unusual. Soap on your fingers can increase your touch sensitivity. It’s important to establish a good degree of familiarity with your scrotum, their normal differences, so that any changes are suspicious.
Examine each testicle gently with both hands. The index and middle fingers should be placed underneath the testicle with the thumbs on top. Roll the testicle gently. It should be firm and smooth, about 1 1/2 in. long. One testicle may be larger than the other. One usually hangs lower in the scrotum. Apply a small amount of pressure. Try to find hard, painless lumps.
Feel the epididymis behind the testicle on each side. It’s a cord-like structure on the top and back of the testicles that stores and transports sperm. Do not confuse it with an abnormal lump. Tender when touched, it is the location of most non-cancerous problems.
Continue by checking the vas, the sperm-carrying tube that runs up from your epididymis. It should feel like a firm, movable, smooth tube.
It’s also a good idea to check the skin on your scrotum and penis for sores and rough bumps. These could be signs of a sexually-transmitted disease. If you aren’t circumcised, be sure to pull back the foreskin to check the glans and the inside of the foreskin. Check the opening at the tip of the penis-it shouldn’t be red or painful. A discharge could be a sign of an STD. Feel your groin area on both sides for any lumps or swollen glands as well.
If you do find a lump, or anything else unusual, contact your health care provider promptly. Most abnormalities found during a TSE turn out to be benign, but don’t take a chance. Check out your testicles-every month!
Sources: American Cancer Society 1-800-ACS-2345
National Cancer Institute 1-800-4-CANCER
http://www.ahealthyme.com
http://www.mskcc.org
http://www.etr.org