Testicular Cancer question or shall I say concerns.?

Question

I just turned 24 a few weeks back, I just recently had a pain or tenderness coming from one of my testicles. I did not get punched or kicked. My girlfriend has been out of town for 2 weeks, so I have had no sexual activity (not sure if that would affect it). I did an examination and felt a little "bump" where the tenderness is coming from. It is also coming from the area where the vas deferent meet the testicles.
6 months ago I was hit by a car (ex girlfreind) and was hospitalized for a month, I had health insurance through my previous employer, but due to the accident I lost that job as well as my benefits. I am worried that if I go get it checked out i'm going to get billed and if there is something wrong I am going to get declined when trying to get new insurance due to the MIB check. Its the typical scenario that many Americans face with our health care system.
Any advice or suggestions or if you have had some issue like this please chime in.

Answer 1

Testicular cancer usually shows no early symptoms. It is suspected when a mass or lump is felt in the testes, although a testicular mass does not always indicate cancer and is usually painless.

Symptoms:

- a lump in either testicle (usually pea-sized, but may be as large as a marble or an egg)
- any enlargement or significant shrinking of a testicle
- a sensation of heaviness in the scrotum
- a dull ache in the groin or lower abdomen
- any sudden collection of fluid in the scrotum
- tenderness or enlargement of the breasts
- pain or discomfort in a testicle or in the scrotum

Although testicular cancer is rare, it is the most common solid tumor in young men. It is also one of the most highly curable cancers, especially when detected early. Testicular self-examination has not been extensively studied, but most physicians recommend that men eighteen to thirty-five years old perform it monthly. Testicular self-examination is best performed after a warm shower when the scrotal skin is looser. The fingertips are used to slowly palpate the entire surface of each testicle for lumps. A tumor is usually painless when squeezed and feels like a rock emanating from within the testicle. This should not be confused with the epididymis, which is a comma-shaped structure that runs alongside each testicle and contains tubes that carry sperm. Most scrotal abnormalities detected by healthy men do not turn out to be cancer, but they must be checked by a primary-care physician or a urologist.

Your case may not be a cancer and it has got to be evaluated by an Urologist or Oncologist. However please do not neglect and see your physician imediately-

Answer 2

You may have an infection. You do need to get to the doctor to get that lump checked out. If you're concerned about testicular cancer, it is one of the easiest to cure when caught early. I don't know how the car accident would have anything to do with the current issue unless you were injured in that area. If you think the lack of sex could be the cause, you can easily test that by masturbating. But definitely get that lump checked out.

Answer 3

Bills,
I went through something similar 15 years ago. I had to have my right testicle removed.

My advice? Get it checked now. I delayed for as long as I could before i went to see the Dr. and when I was finally being scheduled for surgery.....all I could think of was what an IDIOT I was for waiting and putting it off because I was scared. If you get it taken care of early....even if you have to have one removed.....you're in a MUCH better position....because what if it IS cancer? If you delay you might regret it. Seriously.

Bills...You can do anything with one testicle that you could with two. Your sperm count will still be high enough to become a father if and when you want that.....and my sex drive wasn't affected...and they even have prosthetic testicles if you want to appear the same cosmetically as you did before the surgery.

Don't put it off pal..........Testicle Cancer won't cut you any slack because you were afraid....and afterwards I was even able to joke about it! I thought...."hell I got off easy...they only removed a testicle and before I went in....i thought I was gonna die"
So whats not to laugh about?

PS...This November will be 15 years for me and I'm here to laugh about it and I feel GREAT!.......and BTW..."Robin" and "Cut and Paste" are correct.

***

Answer 4

don't wait too long to get checked. testicular cancer is not a joke. i had testi cancer and am now seven years cancer free. one good thing is that it can be cured. it is much better to catch it early. don't worry about insurance, your life i am sure, is much more important. the doctor cannot be 100% sure until you are under the knife. the doc might give you a few options like (waiting for any surgery and keep checking for a few months), but if the doc is pretty sure it is, get it removed. good luck and read about Lance Armstrong.

Answer 5

It would certainly be in your best interest to get it checked out. I would seriously consider alternative health care. I can give you some info on that. As for me I would go on a juice fast for 2 weeks for starters. I am alive and well because of raw juice therapy. Being a woman, I obviously don't face the same issues as you but our bodies respond well to a higher alkaline level which is what raw juice therapy helps to do.
If you would like an excellent article on alternative health care then click on my name and send me an email containing your email and what your interest is and I will send it to you.