Testicular cancer, unlike other cancers, is more prevalent in younger men compared to older and according to statistics, a quarter of men mistakenly think they’re “too young” to be at risk. Like with most diseases, spotting the early signs could be a matter of life and death. If one is able to spot the early signs, earlier treatment and a higher survival rate is a likelihood. There are three warning symptoms which are similar to those associated with COVID-19.

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Cancer. Net said: “People with testicular cancer may experience a variety of symptoms or signs.

“Sometimes, men with testicular cancer do not have any of these changes.

“Or, the cause of a symptom may be a different medical condition that is not cancer.

“So, having these symptoms does not mean that a man definitely has cancer.

“Usually, an enlarged testicle or a small lump or area of hardness are the first signs of testicular cancer.

“Any lump, enlargement, hardness, pain or tenderness should be evaluated by a doctor as soon as possible.

“Other symptoms of testicular cancer usually do not appear until after the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

“Symptoms of testicular cancer may include a painless lump or swelling on either testicle.”

If found early, a testicular tumour may be about the size of a pea or a marble, but it can grow much larger.

The site adds: “Pain, discomfort, or numbness in a testicle or the scrotum, with or without swelling.

“Change in the way a testicle feels or a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum.

“A dull ache in the lower abdomen or groin, sudden build-up of fluid in the scrotum, breast tenderness or growth.”

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When it comes to symptoms of testicular cancer which are similar to COVID-19, symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain and blood phlegm can signal a later-stage of testicular cancer, according to Cancer.Net.

The NHS added: “Typical symptoms are a painless swelling or lump in one of the testicles, or any change in shape or texture of the testicles.

“The swelling or lump can be about the size of a pea, but may be larger.

“Most lumps or swellings in the scrotum are not in the testicle and are not a sign of cancer, but they should never be ignored.”

Dr Abdelaziz Abdelaal for Balls added: “Testicular cancer is most common in young men but it’s also highly curable if detected early.

“This is why it is so incredibly important for men to make sure they’re inspecting their testicles once a month for any lumps or changes.

“Examining your balls is never something to rush or take lightly. It’s a task which every man must make time for, every month. As when done properly, it saves lives.”

The three simple steps to correctly check your testicles include:

Begin by bathing

“Checking your testicles might not be the most fun job, but it’s certainly an incredibly important one. An easy and sensible place to start is with a warm shower or bath, as this will clean the surface and help to relax the scrotum, not to mention yourself,” advised Dr Abdelaal.

Weigh it out

Dr Abdelaal said: “Once you’ve finished your bath or shower, dry yourself off and get yourself standing in a comfortable position. This is where you now need to cup your hand under the testicles to get a sense of how heavy they are. Every man’s body is different so you should have an idea of what’s normal for you.”

The roll technique

“To carefully check for any changes or lumps, it’s recommendable to use the roll technique. This involved rolling each of your testicles between your thumb and index finger to feel for anything out of the ordinary. Each ball should be almost the same size and weight at the other,” added Dr Abdelaal. 

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