Testicular Cancer- Get more informed

Testicular Cancer is one of the most common cancer types for which young guys test positive. Men in the age group of 20-40 are more likely to develop it and often discover it on their own. The statistics hint that testicular cancer strikes at least one in 270 American men once in their life. This cancer develops in your testicles found in your scrotum which lies below your penis.

Usually, when you are young, you would not necessarily think about developing testicular cancer and getting tested for it. But, as it’s on rise, we have you covered with all the all the information you need to know.

Symptoms of Testicular Cancer

The good news is that testicular cancer is absolutely curable even if it extends beyond your testicle. While some men might notice no such symptoms there exist a few signs you should surely watch out for.

Testicle Lumps

Usually, the first sign you are likely to encounter is noticing a lump on the testicle. It can cause your testicle to swell and also increase in size, and you can even feel the pain. While typically one testicle is larger in size than the other, don’t confuse it with testicular cancer. The pain generally varies, some tumors can be painful, but for most, you can’t feel the pain. Men with testicular cancer also frequently complain of discomfort and pain in the lower abdomen or scrotum. In this case, it also forces a sensation of heaviness in the same area.

Swelling in Legs

As the tumor can spread to the lymph nodes, the veins do not get enough blood. This happens because the blood flow is narrowed because of the growing tumor resulting in clots. Testicular cancer also leads to the development of blood clots commonly detected in your legs. When this happens, it soon results in swollen legs.

Breast Tenderness and Abnormal Breast Growth

Testicular cancer can result in secretion of a hormone in high levels which make the breast grow and feel tender. The growth of breast tissue is referred to as gynecomastia which happens because of production of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). This HCG hormone stirs up breast development. The tumor can also contribute to estrogen production, lowering your sex drive and further stimulating breast growth.

Puberty at an early age

The tumor in the testicles can produce androgen which can show the signs of puberty early in young boys. While the androgen-secreting tumors can show no symptoms in men, the young boys can develop a deep voice. The other signs can also be quick growth of body and facial hair at an abnormally young age.

Other Risk Factors

When testicular cancer reaches an advanced stage, you may also find it difficult to breathe. This happens when it spreads through your balls to the lymph nodes in the back of your stomach. This fast-growing cancer can reach your lungs in no time. So we ask you to talk more about your testicles.

While the warning signs may not inform you beforehand, we suggest you self check your testicles now and then. To check, hold one ball between your fingers and thumb and feel to see if everything is normal. Do it with the second ball too. A change in shape, size, and pain will suggest that something is up. If you detect anything is not right, contact your doctor without wasting any more time.