April is the month when men across the world are encouraged to play with their balls in awareness of the Testicular cancer and 2019’s awareness is under the #GRABAPAIR.
Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in males aged between 15 to 34 years where one male is diagnosed every hour while one male dies every day in the World according to the Testicular Cancer Foundation.
Unlike many cancers, testicular cancer has a 99 percent chance of survival when detected early and the only way to ensure that is to commit to the monthly self-examination and reach out to a urologist once you detect any form of abnormality.
Boys and men are therefore encouraged to make a date with their scrotums on a monthly basis.
How to Examine Your Scrotum
- Ensure you are in private space and you have had a shower to ensure the sac is soft and relaxed.
- In a standing position, gently roll your testicles between your fingers while using both your hands and check each testicle at a time.
- Notice the size of your scrotum and feel your balls, normal testicles feel soft and move freely inside your scrotum.
- While your balls are still on your hands, locate the epididymis which is a cord-like structure on the top and behind of your testis.
- Check for any lumps under the skin of your scrotum.
- Make it a monthly habit where you can fix it on the date you carry out any other monthly chore such as paying a certain bill to ensure you don’t forget.
It is important to note that every man’s body is different and what is normal for one may not necessarily be for another, it is easier if you are familiar with your own body to be able to identify any difference.
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Something May Be Wrong if there is:
- The feeling of a lump
- Swelling or if one ball is bigger than the other
- Pain whenever you touch them or engage in any physical activity
Causes of Testicular Cancer
Like other cancers, the cause of testicular cancer is not really known; however, there are risk factors that men can watch out for to reduce their chance of getting this cancer. The risk factors include:
- Family history. If one has the history of having a close relative who has suffered testicular cancer, then they are at a higher risk of getting cancer.
- History of testicular cancer. If one has suffered testicular cancer, then they are at a higher risk of developing cancer again.
- Inguinal hernia: This is a hernia that occurs in the groin and it can raise the risk for a man to get testicular cancer.
- Undescended testicle. A testicle that has failed to descend after birth puts a man at a higher risk of developing testicular cancer.
- Congenital abnormalities. Abnormalities of the testicles, penis or kidneys place such men at a higher risk of developing testicular cancer than those without such abnormalities.
- Mumps orchitis: Men with mumps that cause inflammation to the testicle face a higher risk of developing testicular cancer.
Seek immediate consultation with a urologist if there is any kind of abnormalities as soon as you possibly can.
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