Men's health alert: Look out for this first sign of testicular cancer

Doctors urge men to be alert for early signs of testicular cancer as early detection significantly enhances the prospects for successful treatment. Every year, more than 2,400 - or approximately six per day - men are diagnosed with testicular cancer, which boasts a staggering cure rate of 98% when detected in the nascent stages.

Professor Karim Fizazi, a tumour specialist from France's prestigious Gustave Roussy cancer centre, said the initial symptom is straightforward to spot.

He implored men to check for an abnormally small, hard lump that can be felt while showering, and if identified: "Show it to a doctor."

Even in advanced stages where the cancer has metastasized, the survival rate is near 90%, provided one seeks medical intervention promptly. The NHS indicates that testicular cancer predominantly afflicts men between the ages of 15 and 49, however, anyone possessing testicles is potentially susceptible, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Symptoms of testicular cancer include:

Symptoms of testicular cancer include:

• a lump or swelling in your testicle
• your testicle getting bigger
• an ache or pain in your testicle or scrotum (the skin that covers the testicles)
• your scrotum feeling heavy, firm or hard

Other symptoms can include:

• an ache or pain in your back or lower tummy
• losing weight without trying
• a cough
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• a sore or swollen chest

It's not always clear what causes testicular cancer. You might be more likely to get it if:

• you have or had undescended testicles (when one or both testicles do not drop down into the usual place in the scrotum)
• your brother or father has had testicular cancer
• you've had testicular cancer before
• you have or had a condition called hypospadias where the hole that pee and sperm comes out of (urethra) is not at the tip of your penis
• you have HIV or AIDS
• you are from a white British background