April is Testicular Cancer Awareness Month.  Know your risk factors, be able to identify symptoms, and get tips to reduce your risk.

Who Is Most At Risk?

Men who:

• Have personal histories of an undescended testicle at birth or other abnormal development of the testes
• Are infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
• Have a genetic problem caused by having an extra X chromosome
• Have personal or family histories of testicular cancer
• Are white

Symptoms:

• A painless lump, enlargement or swelling in either testicle
• A change in how the testicle feels
• Dull aching in the lover abdomen, back or groin
• Pain or discomfort in a testicle or in the scrotum
• Sudden collection on fluid in the scrotum
• Feeling of heaviness in the scrotum

Reduce Your Risk

• Ask your health care professional to examine your testicles as part of your routine physical exam
• Self-exam: Talk with your health care professional about the testicular self-exam. It is one way to get to know what is normal for you.  If you notice a change, talk with your health care professional right away
• Family health: If you have a son who was born with an undescended testicle, talk with his healthcare provider about correcting it before he reaches puberty.

Please contact Althea Moser at amoser@highlands.edu for further information. This wellness initiative is courtesy of the Dept. of Kinesiology and Wellness, the Faculty Grant Scholarship, & the Prevent Cancer Foundation^©  www.preventcancer.org