Check Your Pair – What to Know about Testicular Cancer and Self-Screening

Testicular cancer is the most common cancer among men from ages 15 to 35, according to the American Cancer Society. Although it might sound scary, it’s a disease that is highly treatable when caught early.

One way to catch this type of cancer early is through a self-examination. It is recommended that men perform a self-examination at least once per month after puberty. Additionally, it is important to have a physical examination during your annual check-ups and discuss risk factors, such as an undescended testicle, family history of testicular cancer or an HIV infection, with your doctor.

How to Perform a Self-Examination

• Examine one testicle at a time
• Gently roll each testicle between your fingers, feeling for abnormalities

What to Look for in a Self-Examination

• Unusual lumps or nodules
• Significant changes in size, shape or consistency of the testicles compared to their usual state. Remember that it is normal for one testicle to be slightly larger than the other or hang lower than the other.

Other symptoms you may experience include a feeling of pain or heaviness in the scrotum or abdomen, breast soreness and early puberty in young boys. If testicular cancer is in more advanced stages, you may experience other symptoms such as lower back pain, shortness of breath, chest or belly pain, or headaches. These are signs that the cancer has spread to the respective area.

If you experience any of the symptoms or have an abnormal self-examination, contact your doctor. They can provide a more thorough physical examination, as well as an ultrasound or blood tests, if further investigation is needed.

If you are diagnosed with testicular cancer, know that it is a highly treatable and survivable disease. Based on how severe and the type of cancer you have, there are a number of treatment options, including surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Learn more about cancer treatment at PVHMC’s The Robert & Beverly Lewis Family Cancer Care Center here.

Take charge of your health and start implementing this important monthly self-examination. If you have not had your annual physical, or would like to discuss your health with a doctor, visit mypvhc.com to schedule an appointment with one of our primary physicians in Claremont, Chino Hills, La Verne or Pomona.