Did you know that every year, approximately 2,300 men are diagnosed with testicular cancer? That works out to about 6 every day! This is why we're telling you to check your balls.

Males between the ages of 15 and 49 are the most likely to develop testicular cancer. That being said, if you're reading this and over 49, you're not out of danger. This blog will focus on testicular cancer and how you should check your testicles for early signs of cancer on a frequent basis, as early detection saves lives.

Some quick facts about testicular cancer

Testicular cancer is a relatively uncommon cancer in men, accounting for about 1% of all new cancer occurrences. However, testicular cancer has increased dramatically in incidence since the 1990s, and there are no known avoidable risk factors that raise the incidence of testicular cancer. As a result, testicular cancer cannot be prevented. Several factors, however, have been identified that may raise your risk of having the disease, including:

• As a child had undescended testicle(s).
• Having a close relative who has had testicular cancer or undescended testicle(s) as a baby can enhance your risk.
• Previous testicular cancer - Men who have had testicular cancer in one testicle are 12 to 18 times more likely to have it in the other testicle.

The good news is that long-term survival after testicular cancer diagnosis and treatment is excellent, with 10-year survival rates of 98 percent, so early detection is critical.

Why it's critical to inspect your balls!

Self-examination is an easy and risk-free way to discover testicular abnormalities. It's crucial to do this on a regular basis in order to be aware of your 'normal' testicles and, as a result, spot alterations early on. Earlier treatment and better outcomes are almost usually the result of early cancer identification.

Self-examination is a vital component of being testicular aware; it can be completed in less than ten minutes, and you do not need to be an expert to carry it out. For self-examination to be effective, you must first learn what is "normal" for your testicles in order to recognise any abnormalities.

Required equipment:

• a hot, soapy shower
• Your hands and eyes, of course!

Let Nad & Ted here explain step-by-step how to perform a testicular self-examination:

When should you conduct your self-examination?

Self-examination of the testicles is something we recommend you do every three months, although you are free to undertake it more frequently if you like. The most essential thing is to develop the routine of performing self-examinations on a consistent basis; if you like, you may use your phone to set a reminder for yourself.

If caught early, testicular cancer can be 98% curable. Making sure you check your balls and seeing the doctor if you see any changes that don't seem normal for you, no matter how tiny, is at the heart of effective cancer treatment.

References
http://itsinthebag.org.uk/ball-checking/facts/
https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/statistics-by-cancer-type/testicular-cancer#heading-Zero
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/testicular-cancer/