Men are being encouraged to do regular checks for testicular cancer ahead of World Cancer Day (4/2).
Cancer of the testicle is one of the less common cancers, and tends to mostly affect men between 15 and 49 years of age.
It is said to affect around 2,300 men in the UK each year.
Greg Rutherford, the 2012 Olympic gold medal long jump champion from Milton Keynes, found a lump in his testicle during the first lockdown.
He was quite shaken and unsure, and at first, did not tell his wife. After getting checked, Greg was told he has cysts - a fluid build-up - and now wants other men to "take it seriously".
Greg said: "I’m just here asking everyone to check. Even now, during a pandemic, when I think it's safe to say we're fearful of wasting doctors' and nurses' time. If you're a bloke, grab them and make sure nothing's wrong, and if your partner won’t check their own balls, maybe offer to do it for them.”
Luckily, the cysts discovered were not serious, but Greg’s experience has helped to raise an important discussion of what to do if any abnormalities are found in a testicle.
According to figures from the NHS, testicular cancer is one of the most treatable types of cancer, and the outlook is one of the best for cancers.
In England and Wales, almost all men (99%) survive for a year or more after being diagnosed with testicular cancer, and 98% survive for 5 years or more after diagnosis.
Signs of Symptoms
Many symptoms and signs of testicular cancer are similar to those caused by noncancerous conditions such as a cyst. It is advised to check for the following symptoms if you have concerns.
- A lump or enlargement in either testicle
- A feeling of heaviness in the scrotum
- A dull ache in the abdomen or groin
- A sudden collection of fluid in the scrotum
- Pain or discomfort in a testicle or the scrotum
- Enlargement or tenderness of the breasts
- Back pain
When to see a doctor
See your doctor if you detect any pain, swelling or lumps in your testicles or groin area, especially if these signs and symptoms last longer than two weeks.
Need2Know Books are currently offering customers a free download of The Essential Guide to Testicular Cancer. If you have concerns and questions the book provides clear and helpful advice with useful instruction and guidance on what to look for and how to do a self-examination.
To download your free copy of The Essential Guide to Testicular Cancer click here.
