7. Testicular Cancer
Testicular cancer is generally painless. Only ten percent of men with the condition feel pain. This is the most common type of cancer in males aged 15-35. Early detection is important even though it is treatable even if it spreads beyond the testicle. The best way to diagnose it is to regularly check for changes in the size and texture of your testes.
Symptoms of testicular cancer include:
- Presence of lumps or a swollen testicle.
- Aches in the abdomen and groin.
- Collection of fluid in the scrotum
- Testicles feel heavier.
- Sore testicle or scrotum pain.
- Back pain.
- Breasts become enlarged or tender.
In most cases the cause of testicular cancer is unknown, but there are risk factors that increase the chances of it developing in some men. They are as follows:
- An undescended testicle (cryptorchidism). Sometimes during fetal development, a testicle may fail to descend into the scrotum. Even if the testicle is surgically relocated, the risk is greater than for men whose testicles descended normally.
- Abnormalities in the testicle. There are conditions such as Klinefelter syndrome that cause testicles not to develop normally. This may increase your chances of developing testicular cancer.
- Age. This is one of the conditions that are more likely to affect the young especially men aged between 15-35.
- Family history. You may be more prone to develop it if any of your family members have or had it.
- Race. White men are at a greater risk of developing testicular cancer than black men.