Many ailments have been relegated to the background as the whole world battles against the growing deadly pandemic, COVID-19. From Lassa fever which h
Many ailments have been relegated to the background as the whole world battles against the growing deadly pandemic, COVID-19. From Lassa fever which has claimed 188 lives in Nigeria this year, to malaria to tuberculosis to yellow fever etc.
One of such ailments that claims the lives of men is testicular cancer. While the death rate is relatively low, say, 1 in every 100 males, early detection and treatment just like any other form of cancer, can prevent a worst-case scenario is important. All the more reason why men should know the basics about this form of cancer. And what better time to create the awareness for it than the month of April, which is considered a testicular cancer awareness month.
Common in adolescents whose age range is between 10 – 24, the cancer can also manifest in young men who are in their 30s but rarely in men from 40 years upwards. Even though it affects more Caucasians than blacks, it is never an excuse not to take precautions.
The three best easy steps to check your testicle are:
1. Holding the testicle between the thumb and fingers and rolling it gently, with slight pressure between the fingers.
2. Do not panic if you realize that one testicle is bigger than the other. It is normal. But look out and feel for hard lumps; smooth or round bumps; changes in size, shape or consistency; a slight ache in your lower abdomen, back or groin.
3. Familiarize yourself about the tube-like structures that connect on the back side of each testicle and see a doctor immediately you notice any abnormality.
