Men's Health

And now for something different – let’s talk about men’s health. Women are reminded to check their breasts for lumps, but men should also check their testicles for lumps advises Dr Lance Coetzee, head of the Urology Hospital, Pretoria, South Africa. Coetzee treats an average of two cases of testicular cancer every month. 

Testicular cancer mostly affects younger men (aged 17 – 35) when sperm production is optimal. The tumour can be removed through the groin, but if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, chemotherapy and sometimes surgical removal is unavoidable.

Symptoms to look out for:

•  Painless swelling or lump in one or both testicles

•  Pain or heaviness in a testicle

•  Lower abdomen, back or groin pain.

•  Need to know about testicles:

Testicles maketh a man! These walnut shaped and sized glands produce between three to five hundred million sperm per ejaculation! They also make testosterone that is responsible for important physical changes during puberty. During adulthood, this important male hormone helps to maintain libido, muscle strength and bone mass. 

The testicles hang outside the body in the scrotal sac that has an ingenious temperature control mechanism (sperm can’t survive if they get too hot or too cold). Too hot and the testicles hang to cool down. Too cold and the scrotal sac contracts, bringing the testicles close to the body where they can be warmed up. 

Injury to the testicles causes immobilising abdominal pain. This is because while baby boys are developing in the womb, the testicles begin their life journey from just below the kidneys (as do the ovaries) which is in the abdomen. They gradually descend into the pelvis and finally into the scrotal sac in the last month of pregnancy. The nerve source remains in the abdomen. 

When baby boys are born prematurely, the testicles may be undescended. It’s important to make sure that undescended testicles are surgically corrected before his first birthday. Undescended testicles can lead to infertility or become cancerous. 

Men are usually hesitant to talk about health issues – especially when it comes to sexual matters. It’s important for couples to be honest and open with one another because, as Dr Lance Coetzee emphasises, early detection yields better results. 

For more information, email urology@urology.co.za or www.urology.co.za and follow The Urology Hospital, Pretoria on facebook.