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Testicular cancer and prevention: the importance of self-examination

By Cristiano Antonino Last updated Mar 1, 2023

Let’s talk about tumours: the testicles are the organs responsible for the production of spermatozoa and hormones essential for reproduction

Like any other part of the body, the testicles can be susceptible to cancer, due to an alteration in the cells that make them up.

In order to prevent its occurrence, testicular self-examination is a measure that should not be underestimated.

Testicular cancer: causes and risk factors

In Italy, approximately two thousand patients are affected by testicular cancer each year, and it is the most frequent cancer in men between the ages of 20 and 40.

Testicular cancer is caused by degeneration of the cells that make up the testicle and the cells responsible for sperm formation.

Risk factors include that cryptorchidism, i.e. the failure of one or both testicles to descend from the abdominal cavity into the scrotal sac, increases the likelihood of developing testicular neoplasia by up to 10 times compared to the rest of the population.

Testicular cancer: what are the symptoms?

The first symptom of testicular cancer is the presence of an indolent testicular nodule on self-examination, often associated with swelling, increased volume or a sense of heaviness of the testis and scrotum.

Other symptoms of testicular cancer may include:

pain in the testicular area
swollen legs
breast tension – or growth of breast tissue
lower back pain may also be indicative.

In the presence of one or more symptoms, a urological examination is essential.

Testicular self-examination, how to perform it

To prevent testicular cancer, an important ally is the practice of testicular self-examination.

This practice is quite simple, and can be done alone, preferably once a month, perhaps after a warm bath: the important thing is that the scrotal sac is relaxed.

One touches the surface of the testicle with thumb, forefinger and middle finger, so as to ascertain its consistency.

Then the fingers should make small rotary movements to notice any abnormalities.

A lump is recognisable to the touch quite well, it feels like a ‘hard ball’ inside the testicle.