Testicular and prostate cancer.
Signs and Symptoms
While it is important to understand symptoms, please do not panic if noticing any of the signs described as these could be caused by other conditions. Rather, visit your GP or specialist when noticing the symptoms – DO NOT delay the visit as if you do have cancer, early detection can lead to an encouraging prognosis.
And please make the time for regular check-ups with your GP.
Testicular cancer
According to CANSA, the most common cancer signs and symptoms in the testicles and scrotum include:
- Lumps or masses
- Pain
- Uncomfortable feeling in the testicles
- Presence of a painless lump, which can be as small as a grain of rice
- An enlarged or swollen testicle
- Significant shrinkage of a testicle
- Any change in the consistency of a testicle
- A heavy or dull ache feeling in the back, lower abdomen, groin or scrotum
- Any painless lump not responding to antibiotic treatment
If the cancer has already spread to the lungs, you may experience problems such as shortness of breath, chest pain, or coughing.
Regular self-examination is very important but again, regular check-ups with your GP plays a vital role in detecting cancer early.
Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is the leading cancer in men, both in South Africa and globally. In fact, CANSA estimates that 1 in 18 South African men will develop prostate cancer.
Unlike testicular cancer, the problem with prostate cancer is that one may not experience symptoms in the early stages. Also, self-examination is not really feasible.
Later, the following symptoms may occur:
- Frequent passing of urine, especially at night
- Difficulty starting or stopping urination
- Weak or interrupted urinary stream
- Painful or burning sensation during urination or ejaculation
- Blood in urine.
As symptoms are seldom felt for prostate cancer, regular check-ups by your GP becomes an essential part of men’s health and well-being.
SCP’s Dr Jean de Villiers believes that men are notorious for living with undiagnosed symptoms – often for months – without seeking a professional diagnosis.
“There’s plenty of time for golf and business – that is, if you stay healthy. We must understand that it’s not just about us but the impact that a late diagnosis can have on the people that we care for, and who care deeply about us. Make the time to visit your GP or specialist for regular check-ups, and don’t delay if you experience any symptoms”.
References:
For more information on prostate and testicular cancer, please visit the following CANSA links:
While information supplied in this article is contemporary and referenced from a credible subject matter source, SCP accepts no responsibility for viewer misinterpretation or any later research findings which may emerge in the future. This article serves only to create an awareness around the possible symptoms and signs of these diseases, and does not replace the need for professional medical advice from the viewer’s GP or specialist.
Testicular Cancer
The lifetime risk for Testicular Cancer in men in South Africa, is 1 in 1 749, according to the 2023 National Cancer Registry.
Most Testicular Cancers can be detected early – a lump or swelling may be the first sign that a medical practitioner should be consulted.
Reduce Risk Through Self-Examination
It’s important for young men to start testicular self-examinations soon after puberty.
Men from the age 15 to 49 years need to examine their testicles each month, preferably after a bath or shower, to feel for any pea-sized lumps that could indicate Testicular Cancer.
Learn more about Testicular Cancer, symptoms, screening, self-examination and reducing risk:
Diagnosis & Support
If you have been diagnosed with testicular cancer, please contact your local CANSA Care Centre so that our staff can offer you and your loved ones care & support, including medical equipment hire, wigs, counselling, support groups, online support groups and resources, as well as CANSA Care Homes where patients receiving treatment far from home can stay during treatment.
Staff can also help guide you through the public health care system.
Hollard DareDevil Run
First launched sixteen years ago, the Hollard Daredevil Run features a main event at Zoo Lake in Jozi, along with smaller runs in neighbourhoods, schools and universities nationwide.
This annual awareness campaign invites men to run 5km wearing nothing but a purple Speedo – sparking conversations, challenging stigmas and encouraging early detection through testing to deal with life’s unsures.
More than just a run, the Hollard Daredevil Run continues to push boundaries in the fight against prostate and testicular cancers, by getting people talking, testing and taking action. This year, it is taking place on Friday, 31 October 2025.
Funds raised will be used to increase awareness, reducing uncertainty around cancer testing, especially in areas that don’t often have access to essential screening that can save lives.
Testi-monials to Encourage Men to Talk Balls – for their Health
Testi-monials, a campaign created by FCB Cape Town for CANSA which is setting out to remove the awkwardness around talking about testicular cancer, and drive awareness about how important it is that men not only talk balls but take care of them too.
The campaign features testicles giving their own testi-monials about cancer and how they have been personally affected. They will give advice on how to self-examine and help detect signs and symptoms. Read more…
Testi-monials will live on www.testi-monials.co.za where people can ask the campaign’s testi-ambassador their health related questions, including:
- How is testicular cancer diagnosed?
- What are the treatments for testicular cancer?
- What are the symptoms of testicular cancer?
- And many other pertinent questions relating to testicular cancer…
The testi-ambassador will give it to you straight, so there’s no need to beat around the bush.
Back to Normal – Award winning ‘Boys’ back in new campaign for CANSA:
In June 2016 the CANSA Testi-monial video won a Silver Cannes Lions Award and in August, the video won three local Loerie Awards. The Loeries are awards granted locally for local advertising excellence in South Africa.
Loeries were awarded in the following categories:
- Gold Loerie: Digital & Interactive – Social Media
- Craft Gold Loerie: Digital Crafts – Animation
- Silver Loerie: Digital & Interactive – Microsite
