Let's get started - do you check for lumps?

Shiminay

An important one gents - do you regularly check for lumps/anomalies on your testicles?

I do as I had a neighbour who was very seriously ill with cancer when he was 18 and I was around 14/15 I think. This was at a time where cancer was whispered like it was blasphemy or something, so raised awareness for a lot of lads in the village.

I must confess though, I'm not aware of any specific or special ways of doing it, I tend to gently feel all around with index finger and thumb of both hands one at a time.

Thoughts, opinions, worries?

[edit]
Gah, I forgot to add the poll! Could a mod fire in a poll for "Yes / No / I don't know how" please?

brianthebard

I check sometimes, but not as often as I should tbh. Below is a link to the cancer societies leaflet on checking your testicles.

http://www.cancer.ie/pdf/Types_of_Cancer/testicularCancerLeaflet.pdf

*May contain graphic images*

Dave!

I do, cautiously, every so often...

But to be honest I'm not sure what I'm feeling for Obviously some sort of growth or abnormality, but I wouldn't be confident that I'd notice one unless it's quite explicit

What would help (and would be a good idea for schools and the likes) is if there were a replica set of balls (one of which had a 'cancerous' growth on it) in a replica scrotum sent around so that everyone knows what it might feel like in comparison to a normal one.

brianthebard

Yeah that would help but for now...I think if you can check them once very thoroughly, make a note of everything, how they feel (ie sore if pressed, how hard, etc) and then you will have that to mentally compare later (or write it down if you want). I imagine a trip to the doctor the first time would not be a bad idea. Does anyone know why you are more at risk if one of your testicles didn't drop?

Zaph

Not as often as I should, tbh. I heard that a guy I went to school with developed testicular cancer when he was around 30-ish. I was told that he made a full recovery, but it's the sort of thing that really should encourage me to check more often, but rather stupidly on my part, it hasn't.

AlmightyCushion

brianthebard wrote: »

Does anyone know why you are more at risk if one of your testicles didn't drop?

I didn't even know that if your balls didn't drop that you are more at risk. Shows how little I know. Any who, nope, I never check. I know I should but then again I know I should be doing a lot of things that I still don't do.

Mr Magnolia

God yeah. It's a must gents. I've gone to the doctor over an issue, been refered on to a couple of specialists, had scans and been given the all clear. Check yourselves. Also, I'm told that a constant longing to pee, followed up by an inabilty to pee can be a sign of prostate cancer, the guy who passed me that information found out to late, RIP.

Also, I hope this is the correct video, I don't have access to youtube at the minute and have found this via google. Would someone be so good as to confirm I've linked the correct vid, you'll know if it's the right one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pu2K4eIqxd4

brianthebard

AlmightyCushion wrote: »

I didn't even know that if your balls didn't drop that you are more at risk. Shows how little I know. Any who, nope, I never check. I know I should but then again I know I should be doing a lot of things that I still don't do.

I'm only going by what the leaflet I linked to said, I didn't know before that!

c - 13

To tell the truth not really, no.

I know I should but I might do it once in a blue moon and even at that I don't really know what to look for as others have said.

I think that this is something that's not really given a lot of public focus in Ireland an a lot of men are to embarrassed to ask.

Ill have a read of that leaflet later on, I'm in work at the moment.

Contrats on getting the forum approved by the way. I laughed when I saw that two of the mods also mod BGRH though

The Bollox

nay, only because I don't know how to check or what exactly I'm checking for. I will have a look at the linkie above later

smashey

I check regularly and especially since a cousin of mine was diagnosed with testicular cancer a couple of years ago. He has since made a full recovery and got married a few weeks ago.

Will

I don't check simply because i dont know what im looking for, i presume if there's places where it's more raised then i may have a problem

Delirium

No, because like a lot of guys, I don't know what I'm looking for. Will definitely be checking out the link.

Nevyn

http://www.carpetestes.org/

First thing to do is get just to the shape size and feel of them, so that if there is a change you notice it.

They say check once a month but there is no harm in once a week, until you know how they are ment to feel.

Can be a bit tricky as you have to get used to feeling them through the scrotum and to
run your thumb and index finger around each one feeling the surface.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pu2K4eIqxd4

Deedsie

Forget it. Thaedydal beat me to it. Great instruction video.

Dord

Yep, I check regularly.

Mr Magnolia

Mr Magnolia wrote: »

Also, I hope this is the correct video, I don't have access to youtube at the minute and have found this via google. Would someone be so good as to confirm I've linked the correct vid, you'll know if it's the right one.

I didn't. I do now though :-)

brianthebard

One other thing, watch out for the tubing when you are searching around. Last time I checked the area where it goes into the testicles is sort of like a lump if you didn't know it was the tube, and its very painful if you are too rough, but if you feel something like that try to follow the tube back a bit to check that's what it is. Hope that makes sense.

Supercell

Nope except when I see posts here or stuff about testicular cancer on the telly.

ChewChew

Prostate cancer is rapidly rising. I suppose the main thing along with lumps and bumps is if guys notice any discomfort or difficulty passing urine. Bladder tumours are very common in men and not always cancerous.

LegacyUser

Reason why an undescended testicle has a higher risk of cancer -

Well the balls hang down right, so the temperature is a little lower than that of the rest of the body - however if you have one that has not dropped - well then its constantly trying to deal with a higher body temperature - which it isn't built for - this can lead to cancerous growths -

How do I know this??? .....well that's what the doctor said before he removed it!....

All grand now - and am the father of a boy & a girl......

brianthebard

Ah right so if you've had an op to move it down there's no increased risk?

Zaph

brianthebard wrote: »

Ah right so if you've had an op to move it down there's no increased risk?

Not quite. From http://www.vhi.ie/hfiles/hf-420.jsp

If left untreated, undescended testes carry a greater risk of testicular cancer and infertility.

* Fertility

Undescended testicles aren’t able to make sperm properly. Testicles are naturally in the scrotum because the temperature there is cooler than inside the body. A cooler temperature helps the testicles make sperm. If a testis is undescended, tissue changes occur that can affect sperm production. A baby boy with an undescended testicle can start to lose the ability to make sperm by 12 months of age. About 50–65% of boys who are treated to correct two undescended testes are fertile; 85% of boys treated to correct one undescended testis are fertile.

* Testicular cancer
Boys with an undescended testis are ten to twenty times more likely to develop testicular cancer (even after treatment). The cancer can occur in the normal descended testis on the other side. Testes that remain in the abdomen increase the risk of testicular cancer 40-fold. The peak age for testicular cancer is 15–45 years.

brianthebard

:eek:
This is rather disturbing news, I never knew any of this. I should probably have a check up or something, I'll have to find a new doctor now.

CathyMoran

I check my husband on a monthly basis, hope that is often enough, I include it as foreplay.

AlmightyCushion

ONEBALL wrote: »

Reason why an undescended testicle has a higher risk of cancer -

Well the balls hang down right, so the temperature is a little lower than that of the rest of the body - however if you have one that has not dropped - well then its constantly trying to deal with a higher body temperature - which it isn't built for - this can lead to cancerous growths -

How do I know this??? .....well that's what the doctor said before he removed it!....

All grand now - and am the father of a boy & a girl......

Glad to hear you got through it.

entropi

I do check myself every couple of weeks now through habit, usually know what to search for but still get caught out for a second by the epididymis, then realise my mistake :pac:

I should probably visit the doc every 6 months or so, even though i never get ill, even for just a general health testing/screening.

spider77

I went to doctor 2 years ago as was getting pains in one testicle. Turned out I had a cyst down there. It can be mistaken for a lump. I took medication which took it down but it is back again :mad: Anyway, just letting you know it may not be cancer if you find a lump. Depends where you find it. Doctor said cysts are quite common but as ppl dont talk about that stuff not sure how common it is

coillcam

Yes and I'd feel extremely silly not to do it or to have a hangup about it. Around once a month and it only takes a few seconds. If you have issues get someone else to do it, fun for all !!

Baldie

Ya I'd check them regulary. Most often when I'm lying in bed watching TV. Herself thinks I'm being naughty, but I'm not....

Star Lord

Only check every once in a while, don't really know what to look for, but I know to watch out for anything that feels like a lump, or if they are sore for no apparent reason!

javaboy

Mr Magnolia wrote: »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pu2K4eIqxd4

That reminds me of "Just DO IT! ...........Examine your scalp for ringworm."

CathyMoran wrote: »

I check my husband on a monthly basis, hope that is often enough, I include it as foreplay.

You obviously do it deliberately but I'd say a huge amount of men with lumps only find out about them when their partner discovers them. Yet another reason why regular sex is good for your health!

coillcam

Just to reinforce the idea. Here is an article from football365 today as footballer Geoff Horsfield got diagnosed with testicular cancer and has to quit the game.

football365 wrote:

Former Fulham, Birmingham and West Brom striker Geoff Horsfield has revealed he is suffering from testicular cancer.

The 34-year-old, who was released by Sheffield United last summer and was hoping to earn a contract at Walsall, has been forced to retire as a result and will undergo surgery next week.

Horsfield told the Daily Mirror: "I found a small lump in my left testicle and went to see the doctor at West Brom, who's a good friend of mine.

"I was diagnosed last Friday and I'm going in for surgery next Thursday. The surgeon has told me that this is the end of my professional career, which is disappointing.

"But I've had 10 good years with Fulham, Birmingham, Wigan, West Brom and all the other clubs I've played for and enjoyed it.

"That's at the back of my mind now. It's just one of those things and I've come to terms with my career being over.

"All I'm thinking about now is beating this. I've always been a fighter right through my football career and I'm going to fight this and win."

Horsfield has been told he has a good chance of recovery after the diagnosis was made early.

He added: "The specialist told me I did well to find the lump because it is so small," he said. "He says I stand a good chance of making a full recovery because we've got in early."

Get well soon.

From here http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8652_4287823,00.html

ryoishin

I check all the time because im always getting the odd whack there in training.

I wear a cup and got a kick on it awhile ago. The left one hurt so went to dame st medical centre and the doc did nt even have a feel just said if the pain is there tomorrow go to casulity, I could nt believe it.

Went to another doc a few days later because it was playing on my mind and he checked and said that it was fine and that I may be getting phantom pains because I expect it, supposed to be fairly common.

MagicMarker

Just incase lads do actually find something, try not to worry, more often than not it's just a cyst or something.

Whatever you do, don't look up symptoms online!! I found a lump 6 years ago, it terrified me but being a stupid teenager i ignored it. But it played on my mind, as soon as i looked up the symptoms i started to actually feel them! phantom pains are not good for your sanity.

My case was a little different, the lumps (one on each testicle) would only show up in moments of passion, i eventually went to the doctor (not pleasant) and he said it's probably nothing, just a blockage or something

Anyway, i still get them to this day, so i guess he was right?

Unfortunately, i admit to not checking as much as I should... ignorance is bliss and all.

gazzer

I only discovered this forum today. Some good info in it.

For the last couple of weeks I have been gettng an occasional dull pain in my testicles. Nothing really painful. To be honest it feels like trapped wind. Anyway at the same time my sex drive has gone way down. I go to the gym 3 times a week and do a lot of compound weights that are meant to elevate testosterone levels so I thought my sex drive should be a lot higher.

Anyway I dont know if the lack of sex is causing the pain but yesterday I bit the bullet and went to the GP. I dont have any lumps but it is still worrying me. I am getting sent for a few blood tests in a couple of weeks time just to make sure things are ok. Im sure it is fine but I am a hypochondriac at the best of times

smashey

gazzer wrote: »

I only discovered this forum today. Some good info in it.

For the last couple of weeks I have been gettng an occasional dull pain in my testicles. Nothing really painful. To be honest it feels like trapped wind. Anyway at the same time my sex drive has gone way down. I go to the gym 3 times a week and do a lot of compound weights that are meant to elevate testosterone levels so I thought my sex drive should be a lot higher.

Anyway I dont know if the lack of sex is causing the pain but yesterday I bit the bullet and went to the GP. I dont have any lumps but it is still worrying me. I am getting sent for a few blood tests in a couple of weeks time just to make sure things are ok. Im sure it is fine but I am a hypochondriac at the best of times

Well done you for going to the Doc.

Passenger

Regularly give the fellas an aul examination.

I think testicular examination is ridiculously undiscussed, particularly in the media, compared to other forms of the big Casino.

Bottle_of_Smoke

"you're looking for a lump...in a bag of lumps"

Must check that vid out when I have headphones

kaimera

Had some on my scrot for a bit that I'd ignored for the last few years. [ya i know, it10t for not going but i was young when i discovered it!]

Finally worked up the nads to go to the doc and ask him about it and turned out to be nothing serious.

Just a huge weight off the mind. Like has been said, just go, doc has seen it all before.

Also showed me what to look for/how to look for lumps.

D500B

Dave! wrote: »

I do, cautiously, every so often...


What would help (and would be a good idea for schools and the likes) is if there were a replica set of balls (one of which had a 'cancerous' growth on it) in a replica scrotum sent around so that everyone knows what it might feel like in comparison to a normal one.

I was watching a TV program recently where a presenter was approaching people on the street and asking them to detect the 6 different lump types on a pair of silicon balls. Most only found around 2 initially. Why don't they have these available for ordinary people? The HSE should sell them at a €5 a pop on their website.
does anyone know where to get such a thing? I looked for it on the internet but just got the usual testicular cancer related articles.

Mr Floyd

Had this myself a while ago, one or 2 days they got really sharp and painful and also felt something that wasnt there before so I bit the bullet and decided to go see the doctor, was getting quite worried. As mentioned earlier its not always a good idea to check syptoms online, I was sure I had cancer. Anyway the doctor had a look and feel, checked breathing, his reaction was quite dissmissive which I found a bit strange ie he said the chances of it being cancer were very low. He sent me to hospital the same day for them to have a look, they had a look and did a urine test and all was clear, they also put me down to see the Urologist but was on a waiting list for 2 years. In the end I went private, 200 to the specialist and 175 for an ultrasound. He told me my problem was something to do with a build up of veins around the testicle which is quite common for guys around the 30 mark, no need for surgery unless it gets a lot worse but nothing serious, some quick keyhole surgery would sort it easily. Just my experience anyway for anyone thats anyway worried, just go get it checked.

gazzer wrote: »

For the last couple of weeks I have been gettng an occasional dull pain in my testicles. Nothing really painful. To be honest it feels like trapped wind. Anyway at the same time my sex drive has gone way down. I go to the gym 3 times a week and do a lot of compound weights that are meant to elevate testosterone levels so I thought my sex drive should be a lot higher.

Anyway I dont know if the lack of sex is causing the pain but yesterday I bit the bullet and went to the GP. I dont have any lumps but it is still worrying me. I am getting sent for a few blood tests in a couple of weeks time just to make sure things are ok. Im sure it is fine but I am a hypochondriac at the best of times

Fad

D500B wrote: »

I was watching a TV program recently where a presenter was approaching people on the street and asking them to detect the 6 different lump types on a pair of silicon balls. Most only found around 2 initially. Why don't they have these available for ordinary people? The HSE should sell them at a €5 a pop on their website.

Sell them? No give out for free, could potentially save themselves some money and lives.

White Wolf

Ok first time poster and all and reading through the thread which is very good..............

Just a quick question........I'm 21 and for the last couple of years I get a pain ONLY in my right testicle. I have it for a couple of days then it goes away for a couple of weeks then back again. However all the time its more lets say delicate to touch then sore. I went to the doc a couple of months ago about it, he felt them and sent me for an ultrasound. I then discoverd that I have a cyst on my left testicle and my right one is normal. However this does not explain the pain I get on a regular basis and I was just wondering did/does anyone had/have a similiar pain???

I dont know weather I should be worried or not..............

AnonoBoy

Had myself checked by the Doc there about two months ago when I was getting an STI screening done. So I'm happy that everything is ok downstairs for me.

I was surprisingly comfortable with another man handling my testicles too. <snip>

AnonoBoy

White Wolf wrote: »

Ok first time poster and all and reading through the thread which is very good..............

Just a quick question........I'm 21 and for the last couple of years I get a pain ONLY in my right testicle. I have it for a couple of days then it goes away for a couple of weeks then back again. However all the time its more lets say delicate to touch then sore. I went to the doc a couple of months ago about it, he felt them and sent me for an ultrasound. I then discoverd that I have a cyst on my left testicle and my right one is normal. However this does not explain the pain I get on a regular basis and I was just wondering did/does anyone had/have a similiar pain???

I dont know weather I should be worried or not..............

Talk to you doctor about it.

LegacyUser

I got myself checked for this.

Went to the doctor, he said it was graaandddd just slightly thicker tubing on one of the babies but it was the other one i was taking about a small lump at the back, he felt it but said it was nothing. I was like yeahhhhhh sure. So forced to get a ultrasound scan thing.

Was terrified as hell, i had worried about my nads for a few years for some reason!

Got my ultrasound. The thing at the back of the left one was just a vein or something. On the righty i had slight epididymitis or something? And 2 tiny 3mm cysts on it also!

Basically my doctor said around 40% of people have some sort of epididymitis.


So basically i have feked up balls but no cancer as of yet!

Basically dudes get checked, just man up and go to the doctor if you have any worry whatsoever because the worrying is the worst thing in the world and can really ruin your life for however long u worry, you might stick it to the back of your mind for weeks/months but its like a hanging cloud.

Get checked out and if you've got Cancer you'll start the road to recovery there and then, TC has a 95% survival rate.

If you don't have it, it will feel like you have a huge burden relieved from you and you'll feel great.

And if your not too certain with your Doc get a US. Better safe than sorry.