Testicular Cancer: Are you ready to go nuts for yours?

LIFESTYLE NEWS - While most cancers target aging cells, testicular cancer predominantly affects younger men¹.

Testicular cancer is a disease in which one of the many kinds of testicular cells multiply uncontrollably, forming a mass in one or both testicles.

While this form of cancer is relatively rare when compared with other types of cancer, it is still one of the most common male cancers in men between the ages of 15 and 49².

According to the 2023 National Cancer Registry, the lifetime risk for developing testicular cancer in men in South Africa, is 1 in 1 749².

It’s important for young men to start testicular self-examinations soon after puberty and for all men aged 15 to 49 to examine their testicles each month, preferably after a bath or shower, to feel for any pea-sized lumps that could indicate testicular cancer².

To do a testicular self-exam, stand unclothed in front of a mirror³.

Look for swelling. Hold your penis out of the way and examine the skin of the scrotum.
Examine each testicle. Using both hands, place your index and middle fingers under the testicle and your thumbs on top.
Gently roll the testicle between your thumbs and fingers. Look and feel for any changes to your testicle. These could include hard lumps, smooth rounded bumps, or new changes in the size, shape or consistency of the testicle.

If you find a lump or other change during a testicular self-exam, make an appointment with your doctor. Depending on the circumstances, your doctor might do a testicular exam followed by a blood test, ultrasound or biopsy.

Remember that most changes in your testicles aren't caused by testicular cancer, but it’s always safer to get checked³. Testicular cancer is curable and can be treated successfully in 95% of cases. If treated early, the cure rate rises to 98%⁴.

Michele Vanzaghi, a 31-year-old medical doctor from Cape Town who was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2020, says that testicular cancer is a disease of young men.

“As a young person who knows the value of an early diagnosis and early treatment, I want to make it my mission to create awareness and comfort in screening for men’s health issues,” he says. Vanzaghi discovered a small lump on his left testicle.

With his medical knowledge, he understood the importance of acting quickly and booked an appointment with his urologist the very next day.

He emphasises that early detection through screening, awareness campaigns and education is crucial, not only for saving lives but also for breaking the stigma surrounding the disease. “This saved my life, and I would like to help save the lives of many other young men with what I learnt,” he says. “Check your balls and make it part of your daily life”. See more on his Instagram: @grabbed_by_the_balls.

Charl-Jacquairdo van Helsdingen, a testicular cancer survivor, is a finalist in Mr Global South Africa and a former Mr Gay World South Africa. At 34, this multi-talented model, dancer, creative director, fitness instructor and event producer from Johannesburg reflects on his journey since 2018, when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer after discovering a lump on his testicle. Following surgery and months of chemotherapy and radiation, as well as the cancer coming back again, Charl-Jacquairdo is now cancer-free.

His message to others facing the disease is one of hope and solidarity: “Never give up on yourself and remember that you are not alone in your struggle and your fight.” Charl-Jacquairdo will also be participating in the Hollard Daredevil Run at Zoo Lake this year.

The annual Hollard Daredevil Run is an initiative that raises awareness about prostate and testicular cancers and sees thousands of men running a fun run at Zoo Lake in Johannesburg or 5km elsewhere in the country on 31 October, dressed only in purple Speedos.

This event enables a culture for men to talk more openly and take responsibility for their health, reinforcing that early detection of both prostate and testicular cancer saves lives.

Entries for the 2025 Hollard Daredevil Run are available at Ticketpro for R180.00, which includes the courier of a registration pack and a complimentary purple Speedo. For more information, click here. Follow Daredevil Run on Facebook to see where runs are taking place in various areas around South Africa.

Click here for more information and a step-by-step guide on how to best do a testicular self-examination.

References:

‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’