Movember and Testicular Self-Examination

If October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, November is dedicated to men. It’s about “Movember” raising awareness of prostate cancer, which is the most common cancer in men, especially older men. On the other hand, we must not neglect testicular cancer, which primarily affects young men aged 20-40.

Signs, Prevention, and Early Detection of Prostate Cancer:

Testicular cancer is a rare disease. Its share among all cancer cases in men is 2%, which for Slovenia means that around 100 men are newly diagnosed with testicular cancer each year. The incidence has been increasing in recent years, mostly among men aged 20–40, especially those who had a developmental defect in childhood – an undescended testicle.

And just as regular monthly breast self-examination is important for breast cancer (especially in early years, when regular mammograms are not yet performed), the same applies to detecting testicular cancer. Regular, monthly testicular self-examinations are important.

The testicles are a pair of glands located in a skin sac called the scrotum. They are composed of numerous tubules where sperm are produced. The tubules merge into the epididymis, from which the vas deferens leads to the urethra, which is in the penis and is a common outlet for the genitals and excretory system.

The epididymis lies close to the testicle, feels like a small knotty cord, and must be distinguished from the testicle.

Male reproductive organs from the front

Male reproductive organs from the side

When to perform testicular self-examination?

Every month, preferably on the same day of the month, so it becomes a routine.
During or after a warm shower/bath. The testicles are soft and pliable then ☺

How to perform testicular self-examination?

With both hands, grasp the scrotum and palpate the testicle, epididymis, and then the vas deferens on both sides with your thumb, index, and middle fingers. Then focus on each testicle individually.
“Weigh” the testicles.
Do not be too rough when palpating.
Palpate each testicle separately.
First, locate the epididymis (a soft, slightly knotty cord tightly above and next to the testicle).
Then palpate the vas deferens. It originates from the epididymis and runs behind the testicle into the urethra (it feels like a firm, smooth tube).
Next, examine the testicle. A healthy testicle is oval-shaped, elastic to the touch, and smooth, without swelling or lumps. Sometimes you may feel a lump the size of a grain of millet on the surface, but this is not suspicious.

How to palpate testicles

What should you pay attention to?

Any lump, regardless of size, deep within the testicle IS SUSPICIOUS!*
Testicles may enlarge or shrink; pain is not necessarily present.
The testicle is hard, lumpy to the touch, and may also change color.
Painful or uncomfortable sensation in the scrotum, testicle, or lower abdomen.
Testicles feel “heavy”; touching them is uncomfortable.
Inflammation appears that does not respond to antibiotics.
Dull pain in the abdomen or groin.
Sudden swelling or fluid in the scrotum.
Enlarged abdominal lymph nodes.
Breast glands may start to hurt, and lymph nodes in the left supraclavicular fossa may enlarge. Enlarged and painful breasts are characteristic of hormone-dependent testicular tumors.
Sudden fatigue, general malaise, lower back and bone pain.

*A lump or swelling most often appears on the front of the testicle.

Testicular cancer most often affects only one testicle.

Most often, these signs are the result of injuries, local irritation (e.g., from cycling), excessive physical exertion, local inflammation, or fluid accumulation between the testicular tunics. If they do not subside within a few days, you must urgently seek advice from your personal doctor, as persistent signs may indicate a more serious condition, including cancerous changes. If a tumor is suspected, a visit to a specialist and a simple, painless examination – an ultrasound of the testicles – are essential.

If you notice any changes, visit your chosen personal doctor. Do not delay the examination! The first thing they will refer you to is an ultrasound examination of the testicles.

Treatment is most often combined: surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. The chance of recovery is greater if the disease is detected early.

And so there are no excuses, let me tell you something else! You can download the “Ball Checker” app to your phone, which guides you through testicular self-examination, in case you forget the wisdom I wrote in the article. At the same time, the app provides a reminder so that regular monthly testicular self-examination really won’t be an excuse.

Google Play – Ball checker

Apple Store – Ball checker

And I like men with “healthy balls” like the IG profile “kdortobere”, which presents serious content in a fun way.

“kdortobere” allowed the publication of the cover photo. I wanted to publish it because men, to avoid revealing your vulnerability, do not talk about these things, or too little. Even when problems are already present. Too often, you also decide (too) late to visit your chosen personal doctor. And that is why diseases like cancer are too often discovered too late and are harder to cure, or the treatment outcomes are worse because of it. That’s why we are breaking taboos. At least for a month, “seriously grab your scrotum” and palpate your treasure. #dotikpovenajveč