Examine Yourself for Testicular Cancer

This I'ble will guide you through the process, of examining your testicles for abnormalities, growths and changes in general.

Although testicular cancer cannot be prevented, the earlier the detection of the disease, the better the outcome.

Warning: This I'ble contains illustrations of male genitals. If you are not mature enough to view this, please hit "back" to leave the way you came in.''

I would strongly advise that if you have young or even older sons, you take the time to pass on this potentially life saving information on to them.
They do not deserve to find out about this simple check later in life. They should be informed prior to their teens and asked to make their own decision as to whether they feel they would like to participate.
This could be a great father-son relationship builder, I know many questions were answered by my own father. They want to know, they just need some prompting. Call them in and lets go through this together as adults.

As with most cancers, the earlier the detection of testicular cancer, the better the outcome may be. Although there is no definitive evidence suggesting that testicular self examination is beneficial in detecting testicular cancer, men are advised to seek medical advice if they experience any changes or abnormalities in their testicles.

We won't notice these changes unless we pro-actively check for them.

There are two different types of testicular cancer, non-seminoma, a cancer of the mature germ cells affecting mostly the 15-35 male year old age group and seminoma, cancer formed from immature germ cells, which generally affects the 25-55 male age group.

Examining your testicles is not a painful experience, nor is it something you should find over-whelming. It is part of keeping yourself in tip-top shape and should be done on a regular basis.

Every 4 weeks at the minimum. Preferably a quick check, every time you jump in the shower is best.

Lets begin...

Step 1: What to look/feel for

What we will be searching for

~ The testicle should be smooth except for the back of the testicle where the epididymis (which collects and carries sperm) lies. It may feel bumpy.

~ If there has been an obvious increase or decrease in the size of the testicle. One testicle is usually larger and will hang lower than the other. This is normal. You would also notice the penis will lean away from the side with the lower testes. As in myself, my right testicle is lower, my penis leans to the left and the Epididymus extends completely to the lowest portion of the testicle. Much further than what is depicted. I immediately sought medical assistance and was very relieved to find out that this is normal. In fact it would be considered unusual if both testicles are identical and one does not hang lower. 95% of penises lean to a specific side, so don't think your unusual.

~ Lumps or abnormalities on or inside the testes. This includes on the skin also. (These may feel like a grain of uncooked rice or a small cooked pea.)

~ Heaviness or dragging in the testes.

~ Dull aches.

~ Discharge or puss from the penis.

~ Fluid collection in the scrotum.

Now that you know what we are looking for, lets find out how to go about it.

Comments

[Pyro Fiend]

(removed by author or community request)

[Lftndbt]

I am not a medical advisor, merely a conveyer of important information. Though I can't imagine it to be a "problem" as such, more so an intricacy of your own body. If in doubt always seek the advice of a doctor. Hope that helps.

[Sandisk1duo]

eyes, they burn!

[Lftndbt]

*LftnDbt hurls a bucket of water over Alex-sharetskiy's head* Does that feel better?

[Sandisk1duo]

wet, and yes, thank you

[killerjackalope]

See this is is getting linked to somewhere in the sex 'ible, unless you fancy a collaboration on a general taking care of business 'ible throughout teen years and on to life.

I tend to find checking by feel much more comforting... ^{Usually why I run out of hot water in the shower...}

Actually it's great advice to know your nadgers since they're pretty important nuggets...

[Lftndbt]

Yes I believe it it be time, for us all to take our manhood in one hand and get down to business. We seem to pay enough attention on the "pleasure" side, it's time to pay attention to the health side of the ball park. Not as much fun but still a necessity of life. Feel free to link to it as it is definatley something that needs to be promoted. Do you guys have "Moes for Movember"? Anyway its a national fundraiser to raise awareness of prostate cancer. You get to have a comp of whom can grow the best moustache in November. You must be cleanly shavin on the 1st and youhave until the end of the month. Best one at the end wins... My favourite time of the year. No so for the G/F though. Thanks for your comment.

[killerjackalope]

I tend to have a check in the morning, as I arrange myself in to a semblance of a functioning member in society... We don't but we have plenty of stuff on it, here we don't have the same run to the doctor culture as Americans and in guys especially which leads to serious issues. Sounds like a fun competition, only problem is I start to get a mexican droopy moustache and they ask about green cards... Glad to see someone took this in to their hands and had a rummage...

[Lftndbt]

LoL, "rummage".
Well I guess that its, you never know what you might find.

We call "droopy moustaches" , Chopper's here. After Chopper Reed. A criminal master mind with a particularly impressive moustache.

Quick story: My mate and me bought two dogs, he named his chopper. After Mr Reed (whom now resides in Tasmania) Once night when on the central eastern Coast of Australia he was parked in a service station..

As he was getting out of his vehicle he heard a voice from over his shoulder.... "Nice dog mate, what's his name?"

My mate turned round to be confronted by Chopper Reed and one of his mates (he was on a press tour, yes he does press. LoL)...

"Ummm, um_{, um, his name is Chopper"}

Chopper gave a massive full laugh and goes "Nice name"

This man has killed several people and many more that were not known of. Most of which were crimals and drug dealers.

[Bran]

I think it is a good iBle - very helpful for guys. As with asyrith, I think you should change your first picture in case people's bosses don't like diagrams of testes.

[Lftndbt]

Your on a general purpose community based website in your work time? You boss pays for your surfing time, yet gets offended by testicles?

[Bran]

I apologize. I guess I'm still immature. My bad.

[Lftndbt]

Point taken my friend. There are more reasons than being immature, not to want to see something like that. I know this because I know you are not immature.

[Lftndbt]

Old fella and tackle- Removed by community request.

[asyrith]

Informative I'ble, but you might want to consider changing your front page picture as it's a little shocking to see while browsing. I realize you weren't attempting to do so, but you still might consider finding another picture. :)

[Lftndbt]

Old fella and tackle- Removed by community request.

[Lftndbt]

To the contrary, the picture was picked for that reason. It will be removed on staff request. Oh, but they can do it by themselves if there is an issue....

[tomonto]

glad to see i'm not the only one who thinks it should be changed...

[Tool Using Animal]

Leave it alone, it's funny, looks like a claddagh!

[Lftndbt]

Sorry mate, you were out numbered... LoL...

[Tool Using Animal]

Awwww, nuts!

[Lftndbt]

That's what I said!

[dchall8]

To reiterate, it is important to become familiar with the look and feel before the problems occur so you can tell if/when there are any changes. I'm not squeamish about the picture but probably enough people are that it would actually help to change it. The title is enough to capture the attention of the male population without inviting problems from the pic.

[Lftndbt]

Thanks for your comment. Don't worry I am more than able to assess what the viewers want. The I'ble was placed on in down time and required something extra. Now that the community hasn't missed it (As was a very real possibility considering the not so "interesting" topic and time of posting.)
You would also note, that I took it upon myself to edit that first picture. I'm not nasty, and yes we are a community based site with many younger viewers.
Although I must add, I felt the "shock" factor to the younger crowd is one thing, but you know they would click in after seeing it... Young minds... So which is the greater of two evils? The picture or the possibility of not finding this info out until it is too late. Personal if I could have my time over again, I would hope some person would "shock" me into reading about this younger. Maybe then I wouldn't have been so horrified to find something when I did.

In regards to your comment. You are 150% correct!! It is about knowing how you should feel. We all feel different but you need a constant to work with.
The sooner you discover you constant size,shape,feel then you can easily detect changes.

Thanks for your comment.

[Jahoovi]

............ dood do you have to post that picture....?

[Lftndbt]

Old fella and takle- Removed by community request.

[Lftndbt]

That was the tame version. I was contemplating some real tackle.

[CarpetGnome]

Thanks, I learned this when I was older, by a doctor. I'm glad that the younger crowd can learn this before it's too late. Very well presented, documented and written. Thank you.

[Lftndbt]

No, thank you for you comment.