Cancer has become one of the more common deadly diseases in recent times. Be it breast cancer, skin cancer, or blood cancer, there are different types of cancers with varying survival rates. One of the lesser common cancers found especially in men is testicular cancer. Here’s everything you need to know about it and how to conduct a self-exam.

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What is testicular cancer?

Testicular cancer is the growth of malignant cells in the testicles. One in 250 men is likely to develop this cancer in their lifetime. Men in the age group of 15 to 35 are most affected by this disease. Testicular cancer usually only happens in one testicle and not both. Though it is a serious illness, it is highly treatable and curable, with a high rate of survival.

Testicular cancer is of two types – seminoma and non-seminoma. Seminoma affects people in their 40s and 50s and grows slowly. Non-seminoma is rapid cancer that primarily affects boys in their late teens to men in their 30s.

Symptoms of testicular cancer

• A lump or swelling in either testicle
• Pain and numbness in the scrotum or testicle
• A dull ache or pain in the groin or lower abdomen
• Swelling and fluid build up in the scrotum
• Heaviness in the scrotum
• Tenderness or enlargement of breast tissue

How to check yourself for testicular cancer

• Hold your penis away and examine the skin of the scrotum to see if you have any swelling.
• Examine each testicle by placing your index and middle fingers under the testicle and your thumbs on top.
• Gently roll your testicle between the thumbs and fingers and look for any changes in shape, rounded bumps, or hard lumps.

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