Signs & Symptoms
Knowing what to look for is the first step in early detection.
What you should look out for
Testicular cancer is highly treatable when caught early. The most common symptom is a painless lump or swelling in one of the testicles. However, there are other signs you should be aware of.
- A hard lump on the front or side of a testicle
- Swelling or enlargement of a testicle
- An increase in firmness of a testicle
- A difference in appearance between one testicle and the other
- A dull ache or sharp pain in your testicles or scrotum
- A feeling of heaviness in your scrotum
When to see a doctor
If you notice any of these symptoms, or anything unusual that lasts for more than a few days, it is important to see your GP immediately. Do not wait for it to go away.
Remember, most lumps are not cancer, but it is always best to let a medical professional check it out.
Risk factors and causes
The exact causes of testicular cancer are still unknown. However, based on statistics from previous patients, there are a number of factors that can increase your risk of developing testicular cancer.
- Caucasian men: Higher risk than other ethnic groups
- Taller men: Strangely enough, taller men are more likely to get it than smaller men
- Twins: The risk is higher if you are an identical twin
- Family history: If any men in your family have had testicular cancer in the past
- Undescended testicle: If you are born with this condition you are more likely to experience testicular cancer
Having one or more risk factors doesn't mean that you will certainly have testicular cancer. The disease is rare, even if you have some of these risk factors.