Have you ever examined your testicles? If the answer is
no or few years ago, it is time to perform a self examination. This self
examination can be very helpful when it comes to testicular cancer detection or
other medical conditions that might affect your testicles.
Although the number of people suffering from testicular
cancer is not that high, according to some statistics this number is rising
constantly every year. Expert have come to a conclusion that if you have
suffered from incompletely lowered testicles (cryptorchidism) or an inguinal
hernia, you have around 10%-20% higher chances of developing testicular cancer.
Of course there are few other risk factors and their influence is still being
studied. These factors include – premature puberty, family diseases, maternal
smoking during pregnancy, age of the mother at birth, complications during
birth and various types of radiation.
Testicular cancer can be easily spotted with an examination. At the
beginning it comes in a form of induration or lump that can be felt during
examination. However not every lump is a testicular cancer and that’s why you
should visit your doctor to determine the real reason for those lumps. In
addition, you can take note for some of the symptoms of testicular cancer.
First of all, look for gradually or rapid movement of one of the testicles. Find
out if there are any swellings (painful or painless) on any spot on the
testicles. See if you have a feeling of heaviness or unusual sensitivity in one
of the testicles. Another symptom of testicular cancer is increased pressure by
the lymph nodes to the bladder although this symptom is common for kidney
disease too.
When it comes to self examination, experts suggest that
these examinations should be performed once a month and on the same if
possible. The testicles must be relaxed so try to perform this self examination
in a warm room and the best time do to it is after you’ve taken a shower or
bath. Don’t examine the two testicles at one, check them one by one and use the
other one for comparison. It is better to know the elements of your testicles
like vessels, vas deferens and epididymis are. In this way you can notice all
the changes easily.
In order to perform a proper self examination you
should take one of the testicles in both hands so that the thumb and other
fingers of both hands are flat in order to feel the testicles. Check each
testicle separately and try to keep an order. First check the epididymis, after
that vas deferens and in the end the vessels. Make sure you’ve checked both
testicles in the same order. Look for any unusual lumps, swelling or
indurances.
Even if you are suffering from testicular cancer, you
should not be worried, because treatment of testicular cancer is one of the
most successful and around 90% of the people are cured. In most cases surgery
is required as well as chemotherapy. That’s why don’t forget to perform
testicular self examination frequently.
