What to Know About Testicular Cancer

There are certain tests and precautions men need to take to be proactive about their health. Jeffrey Millstein, MD, a primary care physician at Penn Internal Medicine Woodbury Heights, discusses why it’s important to check for testicular cancer.

Jeffrey Millstein, MD

Are you doing all you can to keep yourself healthy? If you aren’t performing a monthly testicular self-exam, you may not be.

It’s estimated that there are over 8,000 new cases of testicular cancer each year. Though it can occur in older men, it’s most common in men between ages 15 and 35.

Fortunately, testicular cancer is one of the most curable cancers. Men diagnosed and treated when the disease is in an early stage have a 97 to 100 percent chance of being cured. Therefore, early detection is critical – and relatively easy to do at home.

Who Is at Risk?

The risk factors associated with the development of testicular cancer are not well established. We’ve found that the disease is more prevalent in white men than in black, Asian, or other nonwhite ethnic groups.

Some factors that increase the risk of getting testicular cancer include:

• Having had an undescended testicle (also called cryptorchidism)
• A family history (having a close relative with testicular cancer)
• HIV infection
• Body size: Tall men may have a higher risk of testicular cancer.

What Are the Warning Signs?

Testicular cancer can have many symptoms or there may be no symptoms at all.

The most common sign of testicular cancer is a lump, swelling of a testicle or enlargement of a testicle. This may be accompanied by tenderness, pain or a feeling of heaviness. Other signs may include a dull ache in the lower abdomen, back or groin, or a sudden collection of fluid in the scrotum.

It’s also important to note that not every change or discomfort indicates cancer; however, if you notice any type of change in a testicle, seek a medical evaluation.

Monthly testicular self-examinations can help you become familiar with how your testicles normally feel and help you better recognize any changes.

How to Perform a Self-Exam

It’s best to perform a testicular self-examination once a month, during or soon after a warm shower or bath when the scrotal skin is most relaxed.

While standing, check for any swelling on the scrotum. You may need to do this in front of a mirror.

Examine one testicle at a time using both hands. Put your index and middle fingers under the testicle with thumbs on top. Roll the testicle gently between your fingers. It can be normal for one testicle to be slightly larger than the other.

What if You Find Something Different?

If you find something unusual or you’re not sure about, see a doctor right away.

The doctor will ask if you’ve been experiencing any pain, and if so, for how long. During a physical exam, he or she will examine your testicles for swelling or tenderness and for the size and location of any lumps.

The doctor may also examine your abdomen, groin area and other parts of your body, looking for any possible signs of cancer spread. If anything abnormal is found, additional tests may be performed.

Don’t put it off. Although it may be nothing, it’s important to check regularly and get any discomfort checked out. Better to catch it early than to ignore something that just doesn’t feel right.

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