I am worried I may have testicular cancer - any advice?

Question

I hate going to the doctors and I know people will say I am am a wuss but I am terrified of needles, hospitals and so on. But now I have found a small lump on my right testicle and it may just be a cyst, or not. This morning when I got up I was worried about debt I was in, and getting further in, because my wife has quit her job and not worked in months, she is abroad with family right now so if it is cancer, what do I tell her?

I am terrified of what teh doctor may say, do you have any advice for coping with blood tests, needles, and scans?

I am fit and eat healthily to try and avoid being ill, but this has shocked me and even if my wife were here I would be worried to tell her.

Any sensible answers would be appreciated, thanks so much. I wil be calling the doctors surgey when it is open too.

Answer 1

The only sensible answer i can truly give you is you must see a GP as soon as possible. It may not be cancer BUT you must get checked out.
The GP will examine your testicles and may refer you for a scan/ultrasound.
Please have no fear. You are not a wuss!
Make that appointment now.

Answer 2

You know you have no choice BUT to visit your doctor, the longer you leave it, the more you will worry and the more stressed you will become. It could be nothing but a cyst, but then again if it is something more serious, they can treat it if it is detected early enough.

Blood tests are nothing, you can barely feel them, I have had so many over the last 8 months that I don't even notice the needles any more, it's almost painless. If you tense up and think about it, it will hurt more, the key is to relax and let the professionals do their job. I have to go through childbirth in just over a week, I am TERRIFIED, I have to go through it though and I know it's going to hurt but it can't be put off!

PLEASE go to the doctor as soon as you possibly can, like you say it may just be a cyst.

Good luck.

Answer 3

Testicular cancer begins as a scrotal mass, which may be painful. Diagnosis is by ultrasonography and biopsy. Treatment is with orchiectomy and sometimes lymph node dissection, sometimes followed by radiation therapy and chemotherapy, depending on histology and stage.
In the United States, about 8,000 to 9,000 diagnoses of testicular cancer are made each year. Over his lifetime, a man's risk of testicular cancer is roughly 1 in 250 (four tenths of one percent, or 0.4%). It is most common among males aged 15-40 years, particularly those in their mid-twenties. Testicular cancer has one of the highest cure rates of all cancers: in excess of 90%; essentially 100% if it is not malignant. Even for the relatively few cases in which malignant cancer has spread widely, chemotherapy offers a cure rate of at least 85% today. Not all lumps on the testicles are tumors, and not all tumors are malignant; there are many other conditions such as Epididymal cysts, Hydatid of Morgagni, and so on which may be painful but are non-cancerous. It should be emphasized however that all unusual lumps or pain in the testicles should be checked by a doctor immediately.
Please see the web pages for more details on Testicular cancer.

Answer 4

Hi...

When I felt a lump in my lower stomach I got that fear too and when I found one in my breast I was terrified..

But Ive had operations, they're gone and Im alive... So, having actually had 'the worst' diagnosis...Im here...So please dont put it off..

All I can say is... Blood tests dont hurt..I had one on tuesday, so its very fresh in my mind..Its not nice, but its not something i'd refuse to have done... scans too...whats to be scared of...Testicles, most likely it'd be an ultra sound, bit like what they give pregnany women... just some cold jelly, a guy..or woman, who's job it is to do that, will try to put you at ease...yeah, you're going to feel a little self conscious, cos you're human, but its quick and painless...

Most likely to be a cyst..in which case they may leave it, or drain it...either way, its not going to be an issue anymore...

If its something more sinister...cure rate at the early stage is more than 95%... thats pretty great odds!!!

Please go to the doctor...Putting it off will cause, anxiety, tension, your behaviour will change and confuse and worry your family and if it needs treating, it needs doing now.

Dont worry about how to tell her either...You go, get equipt with a positive attitude and tell her the facts...no dressing it up.

Read this....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Testicular_cancer

Answer 5

I completely understand how scary this may be for you, but you have to remember, the only way you will find out what the lump is, is by seeing a doctor an letting them check it out.
I know the prospect of having cancer is scary, but when found early and treated, people have a great rate of getting better.
It may just be a cyst, but its best that a doctor checks it and gives you the all clear.
Try to see a doctor asap. Good luck, my thoughts are with you. xxx

Answer 6

I understand how scared you must feel but this need to be taken seroiusly.

You must go to your Doctor without delay - there will be no needles at this stage, he will just examine you.

If it is suspected as a cancer it need to come out - full stop.

As you have a needle fear, thats no problem, ask for a general anaesthetic and gas induction - therefore you will not be exposed to any needles.

Testicular cancer is very serious - it will kill you - get it sorted one way or another.

If it is cancer, then any reasonable and supportave partner will return home to be with you.

Answer 7

If it's cancer there are support groups you can join. Needles aren't so bad and the scans don't hurt at all. Once you are actually there getting stuff done it will be much easier to cope. It's getting there that's the worst part. It may not be cancer tho. Good luck!

Answer 8

In blood is tumour marks which in a common man or woman are below 10 i believe reckoning on the tumour mark. In a man or woman with maximum cancers those tumour marks would be greater than a common man or woman yet additionally different issues would reason the marks to be extreme like ingesting alcohol. the only actual thank you to diagnose maximum cancers is via a biopsy. My BF had Testicular maximum cancers and had extreme point tumour marks.

Answer 9

There is no real easy way to cope with it. I'm the same, I hate needles and stuff but with lumps you just have to get them tested.
I had a lump in my armpit. Had scans, tests, biopsies and freaked out my husband and it turned out to be nothing.
The worry is far worse if you leave it.
Get a docs appointment asap then tell your wife. She can't do anything about it but she'd be gutted if she knew you'd worried yourself silly about and not told her.
Good luck matey. Hope it turns out ok :)

Answer 10

As fearful as you are of doctors,it's time to make an appointment. You don't want to put this off. It could be nothing,so don't panic yet. I think you would rather find out soon enough though,if it is,so you can get it taken care of without literally losing your balls.
It could,like you said,just be a cyst..in which case the doc will prescribe you a strong cream to make it shrink.
Good luck,and make that appt now!