How to Self Examine for Testicular Cancer
1. Hold your penis out of the way and examine each testicle separately.
2. Hold your testicle between your thumbs
and your fingers with both hands and roll it gently between your fingers.
3. Look and feel for any hard lumps or any change in size, shape or consistency of your testicles.
Contrary to what many assume, cancerous tumors typically aren't painful
When To conduct testicular cancer self-check
The best time for you to examine your testicles is during or after a bath or shower, when the skin of the scrotum is relaxed. Conduct this self-check about once a month.
WHAT'S NORMAL?
It's normal for one testicle to be slightly larger than the other.
It's normal for one testicle to hang lower than the other.
It's easy to mistake the epididymis (a coiled set of tubes that lines the back and top of each testicle) for an unusual mass.!!
The epididymis will feel softer and bumpier than the testicle it's attached to.
Testicular Cancer Symptoms to watch out for
1. A lump in or on a testicle
2. Shrinking of a testicle
3. Enlargement or swelling of testicles/scrotum
4. A collection of fluid in the scrotum
5. A feeling of heaviness in the scrotum
6. A dull ache in the lower abdomen or in the groin
7. Discomfort or pain in a testicle or in the scrotum
8. Lower back pain
How to conduct A Breast Cancer Check
1. Do the check in all of these three positions - a. lying down; b. with hands raised above the head; c. with hands on hips.
2. Feel each breast for lumps. Look for changes in the skin of the breast and the nipples.
3. Move your hand in a clockwise motion and follow a consistent pattern
4. Squeeze both nipples and check for discharge.
5. Lift your breasts. Check if ridges along the bottom are symmetrical.
6. Use the pads of your three middle fingers, not the tips. Use different degrees of pressure
Contrary to what many assume, cancerous tumors typically aren't painful
When to conduct a breast cancer self-exam
Conduct this self-exam about once a month. This will help you notice any changes over time. The best time to do the self-check is after a shower. If you menstruate, choose a time in your cycle when your breasts are least tender. This is usually the week after your period ends.
Breast Cancer Symptoms
A painless lump or thickening in your breast tissue
Changes on skin covering breast, such as dimpling, puckering, redness or scaling
Changes to nipples, such as redness, scaling or inward turning
Discharge from nipple
What's Normal
It's normal for your breasts to naturally be of slightly differing shapes and sizes.
Breasts can feel tender at various stages of the menstrual cycle. Breast pain can also result from an unsupportive bra, hormones, an injury, or even water retention.
The look and feel of your breasts will change as you grow older.
Concerned after your self-exam or simply not sure?
Consult your doctor. A GP will do. Gents log could also go to a urologist and ladies log to a gynaecologist.
