Lads. Boys. Fellas. Gents. YOU. Listen up and listen good. You don't talk bollocks enough. I know, right!? Despite giving them so many affectionate (and some not so affectionate and some just plain rude) monikers, you just don't talk about them.
Bollocks.
Balls.
Nuts. Nads. Knackers.
Spuds. 'Taters.
Clackers.
Cojones. Stones.
The lads, boys, fellas, gents.
Care for Your Pair
Yeah, sure, you refer to them as some sort of indicator of strength and character. You blithely say you have the balls to abseil or bungee jump or leave a boring-but-secure job. If not, you say you "need to grow a pair". But you DON'T talk about their health. You don't discuss any worries you might have about them, any strange bumps or unusual changes since the last time you copped a feel. And you DEFINITELY don't have a word with your mates about the fact that Testicular Cancer is the #1 cancer among younger blokes.
Let that sink in a minute - the number one cancer. Testicular cancer is THE most common type of cancer in men aged 15 to 49, with men aged 30-34 most affected. Around 2,400 men in the UK are diagnosed with testicular cancer every year (Cancer Research UK). And though experts aren't sure why, white men have a higher risk of developing testicular cancer than those from other ethnic groups. Again, leaving experts confused, cases have risen sharply in recent years, with current rates around double those in the 1970s and predicted to continue to climb.
Know Your Knackers
It's scary, but it's not all bad news. Caught in time, the odds of survival for men with testicular cancer are better than good at around 91%. However, for some men, long-term treatment-related side effects mean quality of life can be compromised. Instead of encouraging your mates to grow a pair, check your own pair, and tell them to check theirs. Get to know what's normal for you, and then you'll find it easier to be aware if anything else is growing there. The earlier it's detected, the better your chances – not just of survival, but of a more straightforward treatment and speedier recovery.
Check your Chestnuts
Seriously. Do you check your balls? I don't mean just having a bit of a rummage in your boxers now and then (now and then? Who am I kidding? Every five minutes) I mean REALLY check. You're not alone. About 70% of men admit they don't regularly check their nuts. Some have NEVER checked. But getting to know what's normal for you can help you identify when something ISN'T. Not sure how? Don't overthink it. Alright, it's not your daily fiddle and faff, but it's not rocket science, either.
Not sure what you're looking for? Here you go. Get to know what's normal and then be aware of any changes:
- Be aware of the usual size and weight
- Check for any lumps or swellings
- Unusual lump or swelling in part of one testicle
- Sharp pain in the testicle or scrotum
- Heavy-feeling scrotum
- Increase in the firmness or a change in how they feel
- Unusual difference between one testicle and the other
Even if you find something that rings your internal alarm bells, it's still unlikely to be cancer. Nonetheless, it's essential to get them checked by a doctor. The chaps responsible for Movember have published a handy how-to guide for you. I nearly called it bite-size but thought that'd have you crossing your legs. There's also a website dedicated to all things balls, at Nuts and Bolts. There, you'll find all the info you need about testicular cancer and all the support you need to get through it.
Testicular Cancer Risk Factors
Scientists have yet to discover causes as such or a clear link to lifestyle or environmental risk factors, but there are nonetheless a couple of things to be aware of. Undescended testicles, or balls which haven't droppped (cryptorchidism) is THE most significant risk factor for testicular cancer. Around 5% of baby boys enter the world with their testicles inside their abdomen. The balls do usually drop into the scrotum at some point before their first birthday, but occasionally they're retained. Even then, they typically descend eventually. If not, orchidopexy surgery can move the testicles to their rightful place.
Men whose balls haven't dropped could be three times more likely to develop testicular cancer than men whose testicles descend at birth, or at least after. It's also much easier to observe and monitor the nuts when they're where they should be.
Family history also seems to play a part. The risk is higher if a close relative has had testicular cancer or an undescended testicle. According to the NHS, your risk is around four times higher if your dad had testicular cancer. If it was your brother, you're about eight times more likely to develop it. Current research suggests certain genes may be involved in the development of testicular cancer in families with more than one sufferer.
Previous testicular cancer means there's a higher risk of the other testicle being affected, so it's crucial to keep a close eye – and a regular checking hand - on the other testicle.
Testicular Cancer is Treatable and Curable
Almost all men with testicular germ cell tumours are cured with treatment, and it's rare for the condition to return more than five years later. Chemotherapy or, occasionally, radiotherapy may be used for seminomas (though not non-seminomas).
Treatment almost always includes the surgical removal of the affected testicle (orchidectomy or orchiectomy). This may seem a big thing, but having one ball shouldn't affect fertility or sexual performance. Or even prowess (if you're blessed with such a thing).
Don't Neglect the Nuts
Early detection and thus timely treatment makes all the difference, so see your doc ASAP if you notice anything new, different or strange, especially a swelling or lump. Most lumps and bumps in the nutsack are nothing to worry about, but it's vital to get them checked.
Nuts & Bolts has the tools you need to navigate the testicular cancer journey confidently. There’s a wealth of info and resources. Nuts & Bolts, from the Men’s Health Charity, Movember is there to help you from diagnosis, through treatment, to getting on with life afterwards. Bollocks to testicular cancer.