According to the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS), only 22 out of 100 men say that they have performed testicular self-examination; however, those 22 men also admit that they don´t do it every month, as is recommended.
In the country 8 new cases are detected and one death is reported from this cause each month. So it is time for men to lose fear, and get down to work, because just by touching their private parts, the disease could be prevented and early detected.
In this way, once a month, men will get to know the natural shape and texture of their testicles and will perceive any anomalies.
-Examine one testicle at a time. Although it can be done at any time, it is better to do it after a hot shower or bath because the scrotal skin is smooth and easy to handle. This makes it especially easy to see and feel any lumps or swelling. Apply light pressure, turn each testicle between the fingers of both hands.
-The testicles should be completely smooth on all its parts. However, the testicles are connected to the ductus deferens through a small, soft tube on top of each testicle called the epididymis, so do not be alarmed by it during the examination.
-Try to detect lumps or bumps on the front or sides; they can be small lumps as a grain of rice or a small bean.
-Ask the doctor if any swelling, lumps, changes in the size or color of a testicle is noticed or in the presence of pain or discomfort in the groin.
Typically, the testicles have an ovoid shape, which could vary from 4 to 8 centimeters long and from 2 to 4 centimeters wide, one of the testicles should be slightly larger than the other and that the right one usually hangs lower than the left one.
Normal testicles also contain blood vessels, supporting tissue and semen’s ducts. At first, some men might confuse this with abnormal bulges,”
explained the Fund.
Frequently, the first symptom of cancer can be a lump in the testicle, which is swollen or larger or heavier than normal, another common sign is the hardening of the testicle.
Compared to other types of tumors, testicular cancer has less impact than others such as prostate and lung cancer, but is the most common tumor in men under 40 years old.
85% of cases occur in men from 15 to 40 years old and the most affected group are men from 20 to 30 years old.
As a result, the Fund will make a campaign in the social networks aimed at teenagers and young men. The initiative will begin on October 16th and the hashtag: #yasoyunhombreymecuido will be used.