Subscribe to Canada Free Press for FREE

Cancer and Health

Testicular self-examination

"TSE" Can Save The Lives of Young Men

By Dr. W. Gifford Jones

How many men ever think to examine their testicles to detect an early cancer? I doubt that one in a hundred ever give it a second thought. Well, it's about time males took a lesson from the women's movement. It emphasizes the importance of the early diagnosis of breast cancer. "TSE", testicular self-examination, is an easy, quick way to detect and cure cancer of the testicle in young males.

Testicular cancer is the third leading cause of death in men between the ages of twenty and forty. Three new cases in every 100,000 men are diagnosed every year.

But even though the testicles are easy to feel, most men have little or no knowledge of their anatomy. Basically, the testes consist of two parts. The testicle itself and the epididymis.

The epididymis is a soft tube-like structure situated at the rear of the testicle. It's the part that accumulates sperm and carries them to the outside.

Lumps in the epididymis are quite common. They may be the size of a pea or larger but usually of little importance. But lumps in the testes are more serious.

But how do you know if the testes are normal? Dr. Yosh Taguchi, Associate Professor of Urology at McGill University, gives a classic description of the testes in his book "Private Parts".

Dr Taguchi writes, "The testicle should feel as smooth and firm as a hard-boiled egg without its shell." And almost the entire surface of the testicle can be gently examined through the thin scrotal skin.

The prime time to examine testicles is while taking a warm bath or shower. By gently picking up each testicle between the thumb of fingers the surfaces can be explored for lumps. Any lump or irregularity should be reported to the doctor.

Like cancer of the breast early testicular malignancy has no symptoms. This may be the case even when the cancer has totally replaced the testicle.

But as the cancer develops patients may complain of weight or "pulling" sensation in the scrotal area. Pain may also be caused by bleeding into the tumour or a blockage of blood in the testicle.

Men may be the stronger sex physically. But testicular cancer is psychologically devastating for young men. Patients with testicular cancer are often in the prime of life. The cancer affects that part of the body that represents manhood. And although the disease and treatment do not affect the ability to have an erection they can have a major effect on fertility.

We don't know what causes cancer of the testes. But it develops in 15 percent of males who have an undescended testicle. That's why it's important to treat this condition surgically. Although there's no known genetic relationship some men are less prone to this disease. For example, testicular malignancy is rarely see in black men.

It's a myth that being kicked in the groin during sports triggers this malignancy. There's no evidence this is true. Rather, the resulting soreness causes men to examine the scrotal area and thus discover the existing cancer.

The most common type of testicular cancer is called a seminoma. It accounts for about 50 percent of cases, spreads slowly, and is easy to cure by surgery if diagnosed early. Slow growing seminomas also respond well to radiation if they have spread to lymph nodes.

There are several types of non-seminomas. These grow more rapidly and are more dangerous.

These cancers are almost always confined to one testicle. But there's less than a five percent chance a new tumour will develop in the other testicle.

Diagnosis is initially made by feeling a lump in the testicle. Ultrasound examination is also a very sensitive and reliable test to assess the testicle. By bouncing sound waves off the testicle it's possible to detect even small growths of less than one millimeter.

When testicular cancer is diagnosed the testicle is removed by surgery. An incision is made in the groin similar to that used in a hernia repair.

When testicular cancer spreads it does so in a predictable way to the lymph nodes around the kidney. This is because during fetal development the testes remain next to the kidneys. Later on they descend into the scrotum.

Prior to treating a young man for testicular cancer he is usually advised to bank his sperm. These frozen sperm can then be used at a later time in case he becomes infertile.

The moral? Young men invariable believe they're immortal and the practise of preventive medicine need apply only to older people. But practising "TSE" can save young men from losing their lives and potential offspring in the prime of life. Á


W. Gifford-Jones M.D is the pen name of Dr. Ken Walker graduate of Harvard. Dr. Walker's website is: Docgiff.com

My book, �90 + How I Got There� can be obtained by sending $19.95 to:

Giff Holdings, 525 Balliol St, Unit # 6,Toronto, Ontario, M4S 1E1

Pre-2008 articles by Gifford Jones
Canada Free Press, CFP Editor Judi McLeod