Hormones 2016

Testicular Self Examination
If you notice any lumps or changes in a testicle, contact your GP right away.
Doctors may recommend that you do a testicular self-exam every month if
you have any of the following risk factors -
• Family history of testicular cancer,
• Past testicular tumour,
• Undescended testicle.
Some, but not all expert organizations, recommend self-exam if you are
a teenager or young adult (to about 35 years old). It is not clear that
performing this exam when you have no symptoms would decrease the risk
of dying from testicular cancer.
Normal Results
Each testicle should feel firm, but not rock hard. One testicle may be lower
or slightly larger than the other.
Talk to your health care provider if you have questions.
What Abnormal Results Mean
If you find a small, hard lump (like a pea), have an enlarged testicle, or
notice any other differences that do not seem normal, see your health care
provider right away.
Call your GP if -
• You cannot find one or both testicles — the testicles may not have
descended properly in the scrotum
• There is a soft collection of thin tubes above the testicle — this may be
a varicocele 75 .
• You have pain or swelling in the scrotum — this may be an infection
or a hydrocele 76 causing a blockage of blood flow to the area
• Sudden, severe (acute) pain in the scrotum or testicle that lasts for
more than a few minutes is an emergency. If you have this type of
pain, seek medical attention right away.
A lump in the testicle is often the first sign of testicular cancer. If you find
a lump, see a health care provider right away. Most testicular cancers are
very treatable. Keep in mind that some cases of testicular cancer do not
show symptoms until they reach an advanced stage.
75 collection of widened veins
76 fluid-filled sac
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Version 2016.3576– – Document LATEXed – 1st May 2016
[git] • Branch: 1.5 @ 26b5e6d • Release: 1.5 (2016-05-01)