What to do if you notice a problem with your tackle
What to do if you notice a problem with your tackle: the low down on prostate and testicular cancers
So, you’ve found a lump or bump on your testicles in the shower. Or your partner has noticed a change “down there”. Maybe you’ve noticed that going for a toilet break isn’t a smooth as it used to be?
Prostate cancer and testicular cancer can affect the male reproductive system. While prostate cancer is far more common overall, testicular cancer is one of the most common cancers in younger men, so it’s wise to be aware of the symptoms of both.
But being aware of the symptoms means nothing if you don’t speak up when you notice a change. If you’re reluctant to talk about your tackle with a medical professional, read up on the below for information about signs and symptoms of male cancers and tips for how to talk to your GP and prevent a late diagnosis.
Signs and symptoms of prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is the second most common cause of death from cancer in Australian males. So, it's important to know the signs of these cancers and tell your GP if you notice any changes in your body.
In the early stages of prostate cancer, most men won’t have any symptoms. This is one reason why your GP might recommend running some tests as you age, to check for cancer you don’t know is there.
Some men may experience urinary symptoms as they get older. These are most commonly caused by age related changes in the prostate and bladder rather than cancer but it’s a good idea to discuss any of these symptoms with your GP:
- needing to urinate frequently or suddenly
- finding it difficult to urinate (e.g. trouble starting, or being unable to urinate when the feeling is there or poor urine flow)
- discomfort when urinating
- finding blood in urine or semen
- pain in the lower back, upper thighs or hips.
Signs and symptoms of testicular cancer
While testicular cancer is rarer than prostate cancer, it’s actually the second most common cancer in young Australian men aged 20 to 39. The average age for diagnosis is 36, so if you’re trying to brush off a change thinking you’re too young for cancer, it’s time to think again.
It is important to get any changes you notice in your testicles checked out. The most common symptoms of testicular cancer are:
- a painless lump or swelling in either testicle
- a change in how the testicle feels
- an ache in the lower abdomen or groin
- a sudden build-up of fluid in the scrotum
- pain or discomfort in a testicle or in the scrotum.
Don’t do the dangerous avoidance dance
Every health issue affecting men benefits from early intervention, but sometimes our ideas of how men “should be” get in the way of receiving the right healthcare at the right time. Studies show that when men avoid or put off seeing the doctor about an illness or injury, they can miss the window for early detection of things like cancer.
If something doesn’t seem quite right down below, then it’s time to visit your GP. Sure, you can Google it, it’s not a bad place to start (and could be how you found this article!) but you really need to be seen by a trained professional to get a proper diagnosis. Pick up the phone and make that call.
Make an appointment that makes you comfortable
When you phone to make a doctor’s appointment, if you prefer, you can request to see a male doctor, but all GPs are fully trained and can address your concerns or questions. Book in with whoever makes you feel most comfortable and whoever you feel you’ll be most honest with.
Describe your symptoms as best you can and try to recall when you first noticed any changes. Don’t be surprised if they give you a full check-up: if you’re rarely seen in their waiting room, then it’s a chance to have all your vitals checked by a professional and recorded for prosperity.
Lowdown on prostate exams
One of the simplest ways for a doctor to tell if your prostate is enlarged is to physically examine it. Because the prostate is found just below the bladder, it’s accessed via the ol’ tail pipe. It’s strictly a ‘pants-down’ procedure, which why prostate checks are often the butt (pun intended) of many a joke.
But seriously, it’s 10 minutes that could save your life. Sure, it’s not likely to rank on anyone’s ‘Most fun things ever’ lists but then exams aren’t meant to be fun. Better to get it done and hopefully receive the all-clear. You can get more information about prostate checks, how they’re performed, and other tests to check the health of your prostate from the Cancer Council.
Can you prevent prostate and testicular cancer?
As well as seeing the doctor if you think something’s changed downstairs, there are things you can do to help prevent cancers from developing. Not all prostate or testicular cancer cases are preventable – sometimes disease happens regardless of how healthy a lifestyle you’ve lived – and some risk factors like aging are unavoidable. But there are some things you can do to lower your risks of prostate and testicular cancers.
Living a healthy lifestyle by eating plenty of healthy foods, getting some regular exercise and decreasing stress is great for your body overall and might help lower your risk of developing some cancers. There’s also evidence that eating processed meats, like ham or salamis, can up your chances of getting prostate cancer in particular, so it’s a good idea to think about how often you eat these kinds of foods and talk to your doctor if you’ve got any questions.
Knowing your risk factors can help you and your doctor make a plan for proactively checking your prostate. If you have a first degree relative who has had prostate cancer (your dad or brother), you have a higher chance of getting it yourself. This chance increases if another relative gets the same diagnosis, so it’s good to keep your doctor informed.
Male cancers in a nutshell
The male lower regions might seem relatively low maintenance compared to female body parts, for which there are various screening tests. But “low-maintenance” doesn’t mean “no-maintenance” and an aversion to doctors or “she’ll be right” attitude could put you at risk.
If you notice something different down below or experience any of the symptoms listed above, just make an appointment with a GP and talk to them about it. Remember they’ve seen and heard it all before and they really do prefer patients who err on the side of caution.
