What
is TSE and why should men do it?
TSE is a simple and effective way for men to recognize the early
signs and symptoms of testicular cancer. Testicular cancer is one
of the most frequently occurring types of cancer in men ages 18
to 35 and can occur anytime after the age of 15. And if it is caught
early, testicular cancer is one of the most curable forms of cancer.
What
are the risk factors for testicular cancer?
There is evidence that the risk of testicular cancer is higher in
men whose testicles did not descend normally. That means that during
childhood development the testicles did not move down from the lower
abdomen into the scrotum. For this reason, surgery is often performed
to correct this problem before the testicle has been left undescended
for very long.
According
to the National
Cancer Institute, a man's race/ethnic background can
be another risk factor. The incidence rate (out of 100,000) for
testicular cancer is 6.5 for White men; 3.4 for Latino men; 2.6
for American Indian/Alaskan Native men; 2.1 for Asian/Pacific Islander
men and 1.2 for African American men. The reason for different incidence
rates is unknown and continues to be researched.
Other
risk factors for testicular cancer include:
Family
history
Occupational
risks
Cancer
of the other testicle
Injury
to the testicles
HIV
infection
When
should I perform TSE and how often?
TSE should be performed once a month after a warm bath or shower.
The heat causes the scrotal skin to relax, making it easier to find
anything unusual. The procedure itself is simple and should only
take a few minutes. It may help you to remember to do TSE if you
choose a date each month that's easy to remember like your birth
date or the first of each month. Performing TSE on a regular basis
will allow you to become familiar with the size and feeling of your
testicles and can help you detect any changes if they occur.
How
do I perform TSE and what am I looking for?
TSE is simple to perform and can quickly become a part of your routine.
You can also ask your partner if they would perform TSE for you.
Examine
each testicle separately.
Using
both hands, put your thumbs on top of the testicle and the pads
of your fingers under and behind the testicle.
Gently
slide or roll the skin of the scrotum across the testicle. Do
not rub.
Examine
the entire area of the testicle. The surface should feel smooth,
without lumps or tenderness.
Feel
the side of the testicle closest to the body for the epididymis.
The epididymis is a comma-shaped, cord-like tube that stores and
transports sperm. Don't mistake the "lump" of the epididymis
for an abnormal lump. Cancerous lumps are more commonly found
at the front of the testicle. If you're not sure if you have felt
the epididymis or a lump, make an appointment at Health Services.
You can request a male medical provider if you would be more comfortable
being examined by a man.
It is
normal for a man's testicles to be different sizes, and for one
to hang lower and a bit behind the other. The scrotum regulates
the heat of the testicles by relaxing and lowering the testicles
away from the body when they are warm, and contracting and pulling
the testicles up close to the body when they are cold. This temperature
regulation is necessary for sperm production.
When
performing TSE you are looking for:
Small,
hard, non-tender lump or nodule in the testicle
Enlarged
testicle and/or a feeling of extra heaviness in the testicle
Change
in the way the testicle feels or in its consistency
Dull
ache in the lower abdomen or groin.
What
does it mean if I find a lump?
Lumps are not always cancer. However, if you notice a lump, enlargement,
tenderness or other unexplained changes in your testicles, talk
to your medical provider right away. The change may be a sign of
infection in the testicle (epididymitis) or of testicular torsion
(a condition in which the testicle becomes rotated inside the scrotum
and becomes "strangulated," which cuts off the blood supply.
If left uncorrected, this can result in the loss of a testicle).
If you
are diagnosed with testicular cancer, the good news is that it is
more than 95% curable when detected and treated early. However,
testicular cancer may spread rapidly if detection and treatment
is delayed.
Testicular cancer almost always occurs in only one testicle. Only
2% of men diagnosed with testicular cancer will develop a new tumor
in the other testicle. Because the testes do not readily take in
anticancer drugs, treatment of testicular cancer typically necessitates
surgical removal of the affected testicle. While this thought makes
most men apprehensive, be assured that one healthy testicle is sufficient
for full sexual and reproductive function.
Links
you can use
To learn more about TSE and testicular cancer, you can visit
