Know Your Balls Check Them Out

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Testicular Cancer

• Know Your Balls Check Them Out
• Carolyn Salzano Public Health Practioner
• June 2008

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Introduction

• Testicular cancer is the most common form of
  cancer in males aged from 15 - 45.
• It is affecting more young men each year
• Testicular cancer causes around 70 deaths in the
  UK each year.

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Aims of the Session

• Structure and function of testes
• What is cancer?
• Possible causes of cancer
• Testicular cancer statistics
• Risk factors
• What to look for
• Testicular awareness

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Nutty facts number one

• When a man in Ancient Rome was required to
  give an oath, he would cup his testicles with his
  hand as he spoke. It's from this that we get the
  words testify, testimonial and testament.

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Structure and Function of the Testes

• The testicles are two small oval shaped organs
  which hang below the penis in a pouch of skin
  called the 'scrotum' which produce sperm
• They provide the main source of testosterone, the
  male sex hormone, which is responsible for male
  sexual characteristics.

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Nutty facts number two

• According to records kept during World War II
  detailing the health of conscripted men, there
  were nine cases of men with three testicles.

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What is Cancer?

• The organs and tissues of the body are made up of
  tiny building blocks called cells
• Normally the division and growth of cells is
  orderly and controlled
• Testicular cancer is an abnormal, uncontrolled
  growth of cells that forms a tumour in one or
  both testes.
• Tumours can either be benign (harmless) or
  malignant. Cancer is the name given to a
  malignant tumour

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Causes of Testicular Cancer

• Not enough is known about what causes testicular
  cancer or how to prevent it
• Remember if caught at an early stage it has a
  cure rate as high as 99

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Nutty Facts number 3

• Over the course of a lifetime, the testicles
  generate an average of fourteen gallons of
  ejaculate (cum).
• Human ejaculation occurs at an average speed of
  twenty-seven miles an hour.

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Raising Awareness
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Possible Risk Factors

• Being Male
• Age
• Undescended testicle
• Family history
• Previous cancer
• HIV virus
• Race ethnicity

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Testicular Self Examination

• Best performed either in the shower or after a
  warm bath, when the scrotal skin is relaxed.

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Testicular Self Examination

• Firstly look in the mirror at your balls, get to
  know them.
• The size shape of each testicle.
• Remember we are all different so get to know
  yours!

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• Hold the scrotum in the palms of your hands.
• Examine one testicle at a time. Use both hands to
  gently roll each testicle (with slight pressure)
  between your fingers.
• Place your thumbs over the top of your testicle
  and gently roll.

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What to feel for

• A hard lump on the front or side of a testicle
• Swelling or enlargement of a testicle
• An increase in firmness of a testicle
• Pain or discomfort in a testicle or in the scrotum

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What to feel for (cont)

• An unusual difference between one testicle and
  the other.
• A heavy feeling in the scrotum
• A dull ache in the lower stomach, groin or
  scrotum.

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Dont be like Hugh.

• Do not be nervous or embarrassed about seeing a
  doctor or nurse
• Do not wait for the symptoms to go away

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Be Self Aware Notice Your Nuts!

• Early detection
• Regular self examination
• Get to know your own testicles
• Seek advice