Testicular cancer
Testicular cancer is rare, but it can affect teenagers and young men. The most common type in teenagers is teratomas.
Why does it happen?
It is not known why some people get testicular cancer, but there are a few factors that can increase your risk of developing the disease.
Undescended testicles
Some young boys need an operation if their testicles don't descend.
Family hisory
If your dad or brother has testicular cancer it increases your risk of developing it too.
Ethnicity
It seems to be more common in white than black people
Sports myth
There is no link to injuries or sporting strains
Checking your balls
It's best to check your balls regularly. A good time to do it is when you're in the bath or shower.
- Hold your scrotum in your hands so that you feel the size and weight of each testicle. It's common for one testicle to be slightly larger than the other and to hang lower.
- Roll each testicle between your thumb and finger. It should feel smooth, with a soft tender tube towards the back of each testicle.
Changes to look out for
Testicular cancer usually only appears in one testicle. Look out for
- A hard lump on the front or side of a testicle
- Swelling of a testicle
- Pain or discomfort in the scrotum or testicles
- An unusual difference between one testicle and another
- A heavy or dragging feeling in the scrotum
- A dull ache in the lower stomach, groin or scrotum
- Sometimes first symptoms can appear elsewhere in the body, such as back ache or cough. This could be a sign that the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
- Occasionally people have tender nipples as a result of the hormones produced by some testicular cancers.
If you have any of these symptoms it's important you get them checked out by your GP as soon as possible. Early treatment for testicular cancer is very successful.
Tests
Apart from an examination by your doctor, the main tests for testicular cancer are ultrasound and blood tests.
Treatment
The treatment for testicular cancer is usually very good and most blokes are completely cured. The two main methods of treatment are surgery to have the cancer tumor removed and chemotherapy.
