Testicular Cancer Awareness: What Everyone Should Know
In Colorado, springtime often brings a wild mix of weather—sunshine and warmth one minute, wind, rain, or even snow the next (sometimes all in the same day!). As we step into May and hopefully more consistent sunshine, it's also a great time to continue highlighting something that deserves year-round attention: testicular health.
While April is officially Testicular Cancer Awareness Month, the message remains just as important in May and beyond. Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in men aged 15 to 44, with the average age of diagnosis being just 33. The good news? It's highly treatable, especially when caught early—boasting a five-year survival rate of around 95%.
That’s why regular self-checks are so crucial. Men are encouraged to check their testicles monthly (or more often) for any unusual lumps, bumps, or changes. A great time to do this is in the shower, when the scrotal tissue is more relaxed and easier to examine. Keep an eye out for symptoms like swelling in one testicle, fluid buildup in the scrotum, or a dull ache in the groin. Pain may or may not be present. Some people with testicular cancer also report tenderness or changes in the breast tissue.
Known risk factors include:
A history of an undescended testicle
Abnormal testicular development
A family history of testicular cancer
Being of Caucasian descent
However, it’s important to note: testicular cancer can develop even without these risk factors. That’s why awareness and early action are so essential.
It’s also worth mentioning that testicular pain doesn’t always mean cancer. It can result from many things—like sitting too long, wearing tight underwear, or even nerve-related (neuropathic) pain that radiates from other areas. In some cases, chronic testicular pain is the result of multiple overlapping issues.
This is where pelvic physical therapists can make a big difference. These specialists play a key role in men’s pelvic health, helping to identify and treat musculoskeletal contributions to pain in the pelvis, low back, genitals, abdomen, or sacrum. They’re also trained to help improve bowel, bladder, and sexual function.
Pelvic floor physical therapists are well equipped to help with issues like premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, or painful orgasms? They’re also a valuable part of the recovery team following pelvic or abdominal surgeries.
The pelvis is of paramount importance in all human bodies so it is vital to seek out help if you or a loved one is experiencing issues that are causing pain and/or dysfunction with your day to day life.