Testicular cancer – the facts

Testicular cancer primarily affects younger men and is the most common form of cancer in men aged between 15 and 45.
It is thankfully still quite rare, with almost 2,000 cases a year in the UK but the incidence is increasing dramatically - more than doubling in the last 30 years - and the reasons for this are not yet known.

Thanks to advances that we have made, with treatment, testicular cancer has an overall cure rate of more than 95 per cent and as high as 99 per cent if caught at an early stage.

The sensible thing is to regular check yourself and be aware of your body and any changes that may occur.

How to perform a testicular self examination

You should carry out these easy steps regularly. A thorough examination may be easier after a warm bath or shower as the scrotal skin relaxes.
Most lumps found on the testicles are benign but any changes in size, shape or weight should be checked by your GP.

• Support the scrotum in the palm of your hand and become familiar with the size and weight of each testicle.
• Examine each testicle by rolling it between your fingers and thumb. Gently feel for lumps, swellings, or changes in firmness.
  
• Each testicle has an epididymis at the top which carries sperm to the penis. Don’t panic if you feel this - it’s normal.
  
• Regular self examination will help you become more aware of the normal feel and size of your testicles so that any abnormalities can be spotted early on.
  
• If you notice anything unusual, go and see your GP as soon as you can.

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