Fortunately, men in my research were interested in knowing more about testicular diseases as long as educational strategies are kept simple, brief, visual, innovative, positive, and humorous. Accordingly, and in collaboration with the UCC School of Computer Science & IT, E-MAT ( E nhancing M en’s A wareness of T esticular Diseases) was developed. E-MAT is a three-level virtual reality (VR) educational game that uses 3D walnuts to familiarise men with the normal look and feel of their testicles and introduce them to the most common testicular symptoms and diseases. E-MAT was first tested with 68 UCC students and staff members and later with 74 GAA players and coaches in nine GAA clubs in Cork. Overall, participants described E-MAT as user-friendly, engaging, and appropriate for men from different sexual orientations and socioeconomic and educational backgrounds. Men who engaged with E-MAT were more likely to report feeling their testicles. We also found that E-MAT was effective in enhancing men’s awareness of how their own testicles look and feel and in increasing their knowledge of common testicular symptoms and diseases. Know the facts Testicular cancer is one of the most common cancers in men under the age of 45 years. The risk of testicular cancer peaks in men who are in their early to mid-thirties. One in 179 men in Ireland develop testicular cancer each year. Almost all men (95%) who develop this cancer are cured. A painless lump in one of the testicles is the classical symptom of testicular cancer. Surgery to remove the affected testicle is the main treatment. In rare cases, chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy are administered depending on the cancer type and stage. If discovered early, people with testicular cancer endure less treatments and lower financial costs. Fortunately, non-cancerous or benign diseases like testicular torsion, epididymo-orchitis, and varicocele are more common than testicular cancer and cause very similar symptoms. Epididymo-orchitis is the main cause of testicular lumps and bumps. It is an infection in the testicle caused mainly by sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like gonorrhea and chlamydia. Men who have sex with men (MSM) are particularly at risk for epididymo-orchitis. Testicular torsion involves twisting of the cord from which the testicles hang. It usually happens among people in their late teens and early twenties. Testicular torsion can be very painful due to reduced blood supply to the testicle and often requires a visit to the A&E. Varicocele involves enlarged veins in the testicles. It can cause some lumps and pain and is usually found accidentally when men are seeking advice for infertility. If left untreated, some non- cancerous diseases can lead to infertility, sepsis, and the loss of a testicle.
Keeping your balls healthy More than 80% of testicular lumps are discovered accidentally. For this reason, it is important to encourage people to feel their testicles and to seek medical attention for any abnormalities. To this end, below are top evidence-based tips for keeping your balls healthy: 1 Your testicles are unique, just like your fingerprint hence the importance of knowing what is normal for you. 2 The best time to check your testicles is during a hot bath or shower. This is when our ball sack (or scrotum) is most relaxed, making your testicles more accessible. 3 Examine your testicles by rolling them gently between your thumb and fingers. Feel for any lumps, changes in size, or irregularities. 4 Your testicles are usually not identical.They are normally oval shaped and sometimes, one testicle lies more horizontally or lower than the other. 5 Consult with a healthcare professional, like your GP, if you felt any irregularities and visit the A&E if you felt any sudden and sharp pain in one or both testicles. 6 Remember, testicular lumps, bumps, and pain are not only symptoms of cancer. They can occur because of torsion or infections like STIs. 7 Stay safe! Condom use during oral or penetrative sex significantly reduces the risk of epididymo- orchitis and other STIs like HIV.
accidentally. !
More than 80% of testicular lumps are discovered
TOP TIPS TO KEEP YOUR TESTICLES HEALTHY GOT BALLS?
Dr Mohamad Saab is Senior Lecturer and Director of Graduate Studies at the School of Nursing and Midwifery, University College Cork (UCC), Ireland. He holds a PhD in Nursing,
Dr Mohamad Saab
No matter how you identify; if you have balls, you are at risk for testicular diseases. What does the research say? Almost everyone has heard of testicular diseases, especially testicular cancer. However, in my research at the UCC School of Nursing and Midwifery over the past decade, I found that having heard of a testicular disease is very different from actually knowing the disease. In a review of more than 40 scientific papers, I discovered that men did indeed hear about testicular cancer. However, they rarely checked their testicles and hardly knew anything about other, non-cancerous diseases like epididymo-orchitis (infection in the testicle), varicocele (swollen veins in the testicle), and testicular torsion (twisting of the testicle).
Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, MSc in Advanced Practice Nursing, and BSc in Nursing. His research is primarily focused on the use of virtual reality to promote cancer awareness among men with a focus on gay men and young athletes. Dr Saab has over 70 research publications and is involved in more than 30 funded research projects, including a trial funded by the Health Research Board to test the feasibility of using virtual reality in promoting young GAA players’ awareness of testicular diseases (the E-MAT trial). Acknowledgements: The research underpinning this piece is funded by the Health Research Board – Definitive Intervention and Feasibility Awards (DIFA-2020-028).
I went to interview 29 men about their awareness of testicular diseases. I found that even those who checked their testicles did not know what they were looking for. In fact, one of the participants said that checking his testicles felt “like trying to find a lump in a bag of lumps.” I also found that testicular symptoms like pain, lumps, and enlargement tend to be “swept under the rug” until they become unbearable. This is mainly due to fear of a possible cancer diagnosis, fear of being perceived as a hypochondriac, embarrassment due to the sensitive nature of the symptoms, the cost of a GP visit, among other reasons.
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