Why Awareness Matters
Testicular cancer can happen to any man and is highly treatable, but awareness is key as the condition can affect fertility and quality of life. Encouraging self-awareness can lead to men seeking timely medical attention if any abnormalities are detected.
How You Can Help
This month, we encourage all NFL Alumni to learn more about testicular cancer and share this important information within your communities. NFLA Health (NFLAH) is partnering with the Urology Care Foundation (UCF) to help brak the stigma surrounding men’s health by normalizing the conversation and providing valuable educational resources.
Here’s how you can get involved:
- Read “What is Testicular Self-Examination?” article for more information on self-exams
- Download Testicular Cancer Patient Guide for more information
- Read “How to Preserve Your Fertility if You Have Testicular Cancer”
- Download “What You Should Know” factsheet on testicular cancer
Medical Perspectives on Self-Exams
When it comes to testicular cancer, not all medical societies and doctors agree on the use of self-exams as a primary screening method. Virtually all of them agree that regular visits with your doctor for wellness checks and raising health concerns for any concerning findings are essential, the role of performing self-examinations is a bit more controversial. While self-exams can help raise awareness of changes in the testicles, they also come with potential risks, such as misinterpreting findings or false positives. Here’s a look at the perspectives from different medical organizations:
The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) acknowledges that self-exams can help increase awareness of any changes in the testicles, such as lumps or swelling. However, ASCO highlights the risk of false positives—detecting non-cancerous lumps that might lead to unnecessary tests, anxiety, and medical procedures. They emphasize that self-exams should not replace professional evaluations or screenings by a healthcare provider.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) does not recommend routine self-exams for the general population due to the lack of strong evidence linking them to better long-term outcomes, such as improved survival rates. They also caution against overdiagnosis, which could involve identifying conditions that wouldn’t have caused harm, leading to unnecessary treatments.
Ultimately, the decision to perform self-exams and the frequency with which they should be done depends on your individual health history and risk factors. If you have a family history of testicular cancer or other risk factors, it’s especially important to talk to your doctor. Your healthcare provider can help guide you on how to monitor your health, when to seek professional evaluation, and how to best approach self-exams if appropriate.
Together, we can make a difference in the fight against testicular cancer!
Sources:
Urology Care Foundation
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)
