The Guy at Home in His Underwear

via Canada

Watch the guy live. Learn more about your boys, and how to keep them healthy.

Testicular cancer is a disease in which cells become malignant in one or both of your testicles.

There is no single known cause of testicular cancer but some factors seem to increase the risk. These include:

- delayed descent of the testicles

- age (particularly between 15 and 49)

- family or personal history of testicular cancer

- abnormal development of the testicle

However, it’s important to remember that some guys develop testicular cancer without having any of these risk factors.

The best way to protect yourself is to check your boys on a regular basis.

All guys, from the age of 15 years, should be aware and know how their testicles normally look and feel. Knowing what is normal and reporting any changes to your doctor may help find cancer earlier. And early detection of testicular cancer can make a world of difference in the treatment of the disease. The best time to check your boys is just after you’ve had a bath or shower, when the muscles in the scrotum are relaxed, making it easier for you to feel any lumps, growths or tenderness.

See your doctor if:

You notice a lump on the testicle, a painful testicle, a feeling of heaviness or dragging in the lower abdomen or scrotum, or a dull ache in the lower abdomen and groin.

But remember, having these symptoms doesn’t mean you have testicular cancer as other health problems can cause some of the same symptoms. Seeing your doctor is the best way to figure out what’s causing these changes.

In addition to checking yourself, make sure you have regular medical checkups with your doctor that include a testicular examination.

And we know you love this video of hot rugby players examining themselves - take another look and go practice. You may have to watch multiple times to get the hang of it.

Aw, nuts

Scrotal Savvy

All guys, from the age of 15 years, should know how their testicles normally look and feel. Knowing what is normal and reporting any changes to your doctor may help find cancer earlier. Early detection of testicular cancer can make a difference in the treatment of the disease.

How to check your testicles

The best time to check your testicles is just after you’ve had a bath or shower, when the muscles in the scrotum are relaxed, making it easier for you to feel any lumps, growths or tenderness.

Click for poster

Click for more info

Check Your Nuts

How to perform a testicular self-exam accompanied by "Check Your Nuts," from Jinx Titanic Booted & Cuffed -The Official Song of the 2009 UK Testicle Tour.





More information regarding the tour and Darren Couchman and Richard Miller's aim to raise awareness of testicular cancer and promote regular self-examination can be found at http://www.onelumportwo.org.uk Learn more about Jinx Titanic.

Everyman campaign brings the beef

Find out about male cancer - testicular cancer and prostate cancer - on the Everyman site.


UK rugby star Danny Care raises awareness of male cancer - in the above advert purportedly for ladies in a lady magazine (WHAT-evah), by keeping anyone with a pulse VERY aware.

Cop a feel - and keep the package healthy

Thanks to David Fawcett for putting this issue - and this great video - back on the LifeLube radar. We have posted it - and other testicular info - before. As you will see, the vid is worthy of multiple postings... and viewings. Practice makes perfect boys.

Every year between 7500 and 8000 men in the United States are diagnosed with testicular cancer. About 1 in 250 men will receive such a diagnosis over the course of their lifetime, but it is most common in men between the ages of 15 and 35, and particularly for men in their twenties. The good news is that is has an extremely high cure rate of 90%, a rate that is even higher if the cancer hasn't metastasized.

Rugby Boys Learn New Ball-Handling Skills

[many thanks to bloggernista for putting this on our radar!]

In this fun, sexy, and informative video, a rugby team disrobes with the help of a health professional to learn how to examine their testicles for lumps that may signal testicular cancer.

Related lifelube post - feel yourself up

Newly Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer?

info via Malecare, Inc for

Newly Diagnosed Guys w/Prostate Cancer

No rash decisions

First:

Make no decisions until you are comfortably informed about your situation. Read at least some of the patient and doctor written articles about cancer symptoms, treatment and causes. Prostate cancer tends to be progress slowly. There is usually no need for urgency. But make no mistake... some men do die from cancer. It is vital to take time to understand what you can do to save your life.

No question is a dumb one

Second:

Ask questions about your cancer diagnosis and cancer treatment. Answers about cancer won't find you, you have to ask. Please don't assume that your doctor will tell you everything that you need to know. There are lists of questions for you to ask about cancer on the Malecare site. Prostate cancer treatment may extend your life, but might also cause collateral damage or side effects, such as incontinence or impotence. Even the best treatment choice may have consequences you probably won't like. The prostate is surrounded by the nerves controlling erections and lies close to the bladder and bowel, so there are significant risks of damage during treatment to sexual potency, continence (ability to control urine retention) and bowel function. Learn about the difference between cancer cure and cancer treatment.

Ask around

Third:

Speak with other guys at a prostate cancer support group. Hear our stories. Put your natural fears into a better perspective. Cancer treatments, symptoms, diagnosis, and causes can be confusing...we are here to help. Most men expect their doctor to recommend whatever treatment they need. They are surprised and anxious when the doctor discusses several possible treatments and says the patient has to decide for himself which one to choose. Think about speaking with a urologist, a radiation oncologist and a medical oncologist before making any decision about treatment, to get a balanced picture of the benefits and drawbacks of all the cancer treatment options available to you.

----------------------

Malecare, Inc. is a national nonprofit organization, founded in 1997.

Malecare develops practical, life saving programs to address the problem of men dying sooner than women and is known for its pioneering work in developing psycho-social interventions for gay and bisexual men diagnosed with cancer.

In 2005, created the OutWithCancer LGBT Cancer Survivor Project, providing services and research regarding the effects of cancer on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people.

OutWithCancer has since gone on to become our country’s first national nonprofit LGBT cancer survivor network.

Resources and support:

malecare.org
outwithcancer.org and
lgbtcancer.org

Related: Check out the recent LifeLube post Feel Yourself Up for info on how to do a testicular self-exam

Feel yourself up

[thanks towleroad and bloggernista]



Pictured are rugby athletes (how we LOVE this sport without ever needing to see a game), who will be donating items for an eBay auction benefiting the Everyman campaign for male cancer. These photos will appear in the June issue of Cosmopolitan UK.

Everyman is The UK's leading male cancer campaign


Performing a testicular self-exam is easy and fun
Click to learn how to feel yourself up

Most lumps found on the testicles are benign but any changes in size, shape or weight should be checked by your doc.