Sex-specific cancers can develop quickly and cause further health problems, like infertility or hormone disorders, so it is particularly important to keep an eye out for these symptoms. If you are male, learn more about these symptoms of testicular cancer and how you can keep yourself healthy.
Testicular Cancer Occurrence
Testicular cancer isn’t one of the most common types of cancer, but its incidence rate has been increasing consistently for several decades. Middle-aged men are most likely to be affected by this disease. When caught early and treated aggressively, testicular cancer has a good prognosis and many men go on to recover fully.
Risk Factors
Though all males can potentially develop testicular cancer at some point in their lives, there are risk factors that increase the likelihood of you getting this disease. If any of these risk factors affect you, it is crucial to be especially aware of changes in your body and get prompt care when needed:
Age: Middle-aged men are far more likely to develop this disease than males in any other age group.
Genetics: A family history of this cancer significantly increases your risk of developing it.
Undescended testicle: For most men, both testicles descend into the scrotum. Men with one undescended testicle have higher rates of testicular cancer.
Race: Statistically, men of European origin are more likely to be affected by this cancer.
Smoking: A history of smoking, especially heavy smoking, increases your risk of testicular cancer.
Signs of Testicular Cancer
As is the case with any type of cancer, being in tune with your body and its changes is often the best way to catch testicular cancer early. Keep an eye out for these symptoms:
Lumps or swelling: any swelling or new lumps on a testicle should definitely be checked out by a medical professional.
Fatigue or general illness: Cancer can cause a general feeling of illness or constant fatigue.
Pain, discomfort, or heaviness: Experiencing any of these three symptoms in one or both testicles is cause for concern.
Self-Examination
A monthly self-examination is the easiest and most reliable way to check for any changes in the testicles that may require medical attention. This takes just a few minutes.
Make sure that you are relaxed. Tension can make a self-examination difficult.
Use your thumb, pointer finger, and middle finger to gently hold a testicle. Roll it between the fingers to feel for lumps, size changes, or pain. Repeat with the other one.
Doing this every month is very important, as this allows you to quickly identify any changes that may be concerning.
Testicular cancer can be completely eradicated and successfully treated in most cases. Being aware of these symptoms can help you catch any potential diseases or problems early.
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