Testicular Cancer is the most common form of cancer in young men below the age of 35. The cause of this from of cancer is still up for debate and the medical community does not seem to have strong consensus on possible causes. It is, however, one of the most survivable types of cancer that a man can have and, as with any cancer, the key to survivability is early detection.
I’m sure we all remember the comical videos we were forced to watch in high school about doing testicular self-exams. Actually, I don’t really remember the video, I was too busy laughing and looking away. In my school, they guys who looked at the video were accused of being gay and generally uncool. It was the job of myself and other douches like me to monitor the bleachers in search of any eye that might wonder towards the screen. Once discovered, it was also our job to make the peepers life as miserable as possible.
Surprisingly though, that’s kind of your one chance at Testicular Cancer awareness education. Not since then have we been educated or warned about the very real danger this common from of cancer presents to young men. When you are kid, admitting to checking your balls is akin to the dreaded idea of openly admitting masturbation. As an adult, however, it is something that we all need to do. In fact, it should be a part of your regular routine.
Even if you are not experiencing any symptoms you should make a habit of doing a self-exam every month. The only way this self-exam could be considered gay, is if you are wearing ass-less chaps and another guy is checking your balls for you. Even then, it might not be gay.
To do this examination, follow these steps:
- Stand in front of a mirror. Look for any swelling on the skin of the scrotum.
- Examine each testicle with both hands. Place the index and middle fingers under the testicle while placing your thumbs on the top.
- Gently roll the testicle between the thumbs and the fingers. Remember that the testicles are usually smooth, oval shaped and somewhat firm. It’s normal for one testicle to be slightly larger than the other. Also, the cord leading upward from the top of the testicle (epididymis) is a normal part of the scrotum. By regularly performing this exam, you will become more familiar with your testicles and aware of any changes that might be of concern.
- If you find a lump, call your doctor as soon as possible. Testicular cancer is highly treatable, especially when identified early.
Getting old sucks, but it will suck more with only one ball. So do your part to make sure you make it out of your thirties. If you think the self-administered testicular exam is bad, just wait for the definitely not self-administered prostate exam. I have first-hand experience with this that I will detail in a future article.
If interested, you can read all about Testicular Cancer HERE.
