testicular Self-Exam A word about testicular cancer
Finding it early
Testicular cancer is most often found in just one testicle, not both. It begins when normal cells change into abnormal cells and form a lump or tumor.
If the cancer is found before it has spread to other parts of the body, it can be cured. Two ways to check for it are to: • check your testicles each month (self-exam)
penis
• have yearly clinical exams with your doctor
scrotum testicle
It is not known what causes testicular cancer, but there are things that seem to increase your risk: • Age — most often occurs between the ages of 15 and 40 • Undescended testicle — if one or both testicles do not drop down into the scrotum before birth • Family history— if your father or brother had testicular cancer • Race — Caucasian men are more at risk than other men • Prior history— if you have had testicular cancer before, you are at a higher risk Copyright © 2003-2012 Pritchett & Hull Associates, Inc. DO NOT DUPLICATE.
Pritchett & Hull Associates, Inc. Bringing Patients & Health Together ®
Atlanta, GA
800-241-4925
Product # 491
testicular Self-Exam How to check your testicles
When to call your doctor
Do this exam at the same time each month so you’ll be less likely to forget. This simple self-exam can be life-saving and only takes a few minutes.
After doing your self-exam, call your doctor if you notice:
After your shower or bath: 1. Stand in front of a mirror. 2. P ut your thumb on top and your first two fingers on the bottom of your testicle and gently roll it backwards, forwards and sideways. Do the same thing on the other side.
• a small, painless lump • a testicle is bigger than normal • you have a dull ache in your groin or lower abdomen • you feel pain or discomfort in your testicle or scrotum
3. C heck for small lumps or anything that looks or feels different from the last time.
Copyright © 2003-2012 Pritchett & Hull Associates, Inc. DO NOT DUPLICATE.
Pritchett & Hull Associates, Inc. Bringing Patients & Health Together ®
Atlanta, GA
800-241-4925