DID YOU KNOW?

Although Cancer of the Testicles is rare ( just over 1400 new cases a year in the UK), it is the most common cancer in men age 15-45. It is also affecting more men each year.

A simple regular self-check could help you detect the early signs of the disease.
It is easily treated and if caught at an early stage is nearly always curable.
It is important to act straight away if you notice changes.

WARNING SIGNS

The early signs of testicular cancer are usually obvious and easy to spot.

WATCH out for one or more of the following
•    A hard lump on the front or side of your testicle
•    Swelling or enlargement of the testicle
•    An increase in firmness of the testicle
•    Pain or discomfort in a testicle or in the scrotum (the sac that holds the testicles)
•    An unusual difference between one testicle and another

Other signs may include
•    A heavy feeling in your scrotum
•    A dull ache in the lower stomach, groin or scrotum
It is important to act straight away if you notice changes.

PLEASE visit your GP if you notice any of the above AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Further information
www.cancerhelp.org.uk
http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page=2665

HOW TO CHECK

Everyone is different, so if you are going to pick up any changes, you need to know what is normal for you. From the time of puberty onwards you should do a regular self- check.

Hold your scrotum in the palm of your hand and feel the weight and size of the testicles. It is common to have one testicle slightly larger than the other, or one that hangs lower.

Feel each testicle and roll it between your thumb and finger. It should feel smooth. You’ll feel a soft tender tube towards the back of each testicle. This is normal and is called the epididymis.

It’s unusual to develop cancer in both testicles at the same time, so if your wondering whether a testicle is normal compare it with the other one.

CAUSES

We don’t know what causes testicular cancer but we do know that some people are at higher risk.
If one or both of a boy’s testicles hasn’t descended by the age of 7 or so ,he has a greater chance of developing testicular cancer later in life. Your risk is also higher if a close member of the family has been diagnosed with the disease. White men, particularly those from higher-income backgrounds are more likely to develop testicular cancer than black or Asian men.

Source: Department of health Cancer research UK


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