April is Testicular Cancer Awareness Month. When caught early, testicular cancer is one of the most curable forms of cancer.
Symptoms
The following are the most common symptoms of testicular cancer:
- Lump on either testicle, which is usually not painful
- Enlargement of a testicle
- Hard mass in a testicle.
The symptoms of testicular cancer may look like other conditions or medical problems. Always consult your doctor for a diagnosis.
Risk Factors
Research shows that some men are more likely than others to develop testicular cancer.
Possible risk factors include the following:
- Age. About half of all testicular cancers occur in men between the ages of 20 and 34.
- Undescended testicle(s) (cryptorchidism). Even after surgical repair of an undescended testicle, there is still an increased risk.
- Family history
- Personal history of cancer in the other testicle
- Race and ethnicity. The rate of testicular cancer is higher in whites than in other populations.
- HIV infection.
Self-Exam
A testicular self-exam can improve the chances of finding a cancerous tumor early. Some doctors recommend performing them monthly.
Testicular Self-Exam Procedure:
- The best time for testicular self-exam is just after a warm bath or shower when the scrotal tissue is more relaxed.
- Place the thumbs on the front side of the testicle and support it with the index and middle fingers of both hands.
- Gently roll the testicle between the fingers and thumbs. Feel for lumps, hardness, or thickness. Compare the feelings in each testicle.
If you find any of the abnormalities listed above, see your primary care physician. (If you don’t have a primary care physician, call 918.579.DOCS (3627) or go to UticaParkClinic.com/Physicians to find one.) You could also see a urologist. In addition to testicular cancer, a urologist can also assist you with conditions such as kidney failure, urinary tract infections, kidney stones, prostate enlargement and bladder control problems.
Utica Park Clinic offers urology services in Tulsa (12th & Utica), Owasso, Cushing and Claremore.