By: Kathy Hubbard
“As a pediatrician, I find that the typical child begins talking at about one year of age and stops around age thirteen,” Dr. Naheed Alijilani, who practices in Riverside, California, said. “At least that’s what my patients’ parents tell me, when they complain how difficult it is to get teens to open up about anything that really matters.”
She said, “The teenage years are about discovering one’s identity and starting to make independent choices in many ways that concern physical and mental health. As they grow, kids are becoming more responsible for their own food choices, their exercise, their schoolwork, their mental and social development and their sexual development.”
Although the average age for a male to get testicular cancer is 33 years old, it makes up about 4 percent of cancers in children and teenagers. Although it is rare for testicular cancer to occur before puberty it can affect teens starting around 15 years old.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t know anyone who greets their teen at the breakfast table with, “How’re your testicles this morning?” But it’s important to know that testicular cancer is treatable if found early, so talking to your son about how to detect it ensures it is detected before its outcome becomes more serious.
The University of Utah Health says, “If you’re wondering what to say, just keep it simple. Since you don’t need a medical test to find testicular cancer, explain to your teen that he can check for it on his own. Make sure he knows that the disease is curable and encourage him to do a self-exam on a monthly basis.”
The self-exam, which should be done once a month, should help your teen notice any irregularities if and /or when they happen. If he does notice a change, obviously, he should be encouraged to let you know right away. You will then make an immediate appointment to see his pediatrician.
I’ll explain the steps for the self-exam in a second, but first I need to tell you that most often testicular cancer does not cause any pain. If there are signs, they might include swelling in the testicles or a change in their shape; a lump; a feeling of heaviness or pain in the scrotum, and aches in the lower abdomen. Rarely there is soreness or growth in the breasts.
Utah Health says to tell your child that “the shower is a great place to do a self-check, since the skin around the testicles is relaxed, allowing them to drop. Then tell him to follow these steps: 1. Hold the top of one testicle between your thumb and pointer finger while cupping the bottom with your other hand. 2. Gently roll the testicle with a light grip feeling for hard lumps or bumps.”
You can explain that there are lots of reasons for testicular pain that isn’t caused by cancer. Sitting for long periods of time, for example. Utah Health says, “Your testicles get compressed when you sit. This may lead to discomfort. Pain from sitting is usually temporary. Getting up to move more often can help relieve pain.”
If you have a family history of testicular cancer, your child may be at higher risk. Other risk factors include having had an undescended testicle or being Caucasian. An interesting note is that white men are four to five times more likely to develop testicular cancer. Americans and Europeans have the highest risk. Another risk involves having an HIV infection.
Dr. Alijilani says, “Engaging young people in a dialogue is an effective and productive way to develop a close and trusting relationship. This often begins with a parent or other adult asking open-ended questions and then listening without judgment.”
Utah Health says, “Talking with your children about cancer can be scary and talking with them about their reproductive organs can be awkward, but it’s important. These conversations are vital when it comes to detecting this curable disease.”
Kathy Hubbard is a member of the Bonner General Health Foundation Advisory Council. She can be reached at kathyleehubbard@yahoo.com. This article was written for publication in the Bonner County Daily Bee on April 23, 2025.
