#LetsPlayBall – check yourself this Testicular Cancer Awareness Month

It’sTesticular Cancer Awareness Month and the Medical Negligence team here atWolferstans are very proud to support Dash of Silver, a charity dedicated to helping men who have been diagnosed with testicular cancer.

In males in the UK, testicular cancer is the 17th most common cancer with around 2,400 men each year being diagnosed, and it is the most common cancer of men aged 15-49 years old.

Survival rates have been rising each year since the 1970s and almost all men in England diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 15-49 years old, survive their diagnosis.In the UK, 9 in 10 men overall survive this disease.

Early prevention is key!

How to carry out a self-examination as explained by Macmillan:

• Hold your scrotum in the palm of your hand.
• Use your fingers and thumb to examine each testicle. You should feel for:
  • Lumps or swellings
  • Anything you’re unsure about or feels unusual
  • Any differences between your testicles.

Remember, it is very normal for testicles to be slightly different in size and it is also normal for one to hang lower than the other. A normal testicle should feel smooth and firm, not hard.

The tube that carries sperm is behind the top of each testicle. This will feel like a soft, coiled tube. It is common to get harmless cysts or benign lumps here.

Check yourself regularly to get to know what feels normal for you.

If you notice anything at all, speak to your GP as soon as you can. Doctors are used to dealing with problems like this and if you don’t want to see your GP for this, you can always go to your local sexual health clinic.

Dash ofSilver! #LetsPlayBall

Dan Silver founded Dash of Silver after his own battle with Testicular Cancer back in July 2009. The main aims of the charity are to create more awareness for testicular cancer, to promote the importance of self-examination and to provide the necessary support for men with cancer.

Dash of Silver also support Testicular Cancer patients in Derriford Hospital with self-care packs to help patients through their journey. The packs include a Kindle, an avoucher for M&S food whilst having Chemotherapy, some fluffy socks and other cosy items. They have recently moved this initiative into Cornwall to help more people with their diagnosis and treatment.

Quote from Silver (founder of Dash of Silver):

“I came across a quote that said, ‘there are two most important days in your life, the day you were born and the day you realise why’. To me, that’s very personal as I was born on the 8th of May 1980 and the day, I realised why I was born, was the 24th July 2009. That day will always play the most important moment of my life, as I was diagnosed with Testicular Cancer. Up until that day, I lived a happy-go-lucky type of life, I had no cares in the world, but my life soon changed. I am the first to admit that I never ever self-examined myself until that day and that is nothing to be ashamed of.

Self-examination is so important to me and many other people as early detection can prevent Cancer.

To wake up every day and know that I have a Charity named after myself makes me feel very humble, but it’s not about me, it’s about everyone else. The charity has raised over £100,000 for Testicular Cancer Awareness and we have supported over 70 males here in Plymouth. We have recently launched into Cornwall to start supporting patients there too. Without all of your support, this could never happen.

So please, keep examining and if you have any issues, please get it checked out!”

Find more about Dan’s story here.

Or read more about the charity here.

Statistics from cancer Research UK*