Can masturbation cause testicular cancer?

Checking for cancer in undescended testes

Discomfort in testicles

I had a testicular torsion, but can I now have children?

Lumps behind the testicle

My son only has one testicle – will he be unhappy?

Self-examination

Surgery for undescended testicles

Varicocoele

Question

When I examine my testicles, sometimes I find that one of the tubes is much bigger than the other one, and sometimes they're the same size.

When it is bigger, it can be up to 1cm in diameter.

Occasionally, it is visible from the outside of the testicle.

I am very worried that I might have testicular cancer, but I am scared to go and see a doctor.

It is not that I am too shy, my penis is quite big (about 5 inches long, is that normal at 15?) and it is nothing to be shy about, it is just that I fear that I might get an erection if the doctor starts to feel around my testicles.

What can I do?

Could you give me detailed tips on diagnosis so as to avoid the doctor.

Also, is it possible that the testicular cancer might develop if I masturbate too much?

Like all boys at my age, I do masturbate regularly and I fear that this might help the cancer/growth grow?

Answer

I'm really glad to hear that you appreciate the importance of self examination in the testicular department.

I'm sure you know that the only way you are going to be certain of finding out what is happening, and if there is any significant abnormality, is to seek medical advice and undergo an examination.

Don't be scared! Your doctor is used to dealing with situations like this and will be able to put your mind at rest and explain what it is that you are feeling.

In nearly 20 years of general practice, I have never, ever, had a patient develop an erection when I have examined them.

When you are understandably apprehensive and anxious, the erectile mechanism tends not to work very well, and is very unlikely to happen.

From your description, it sounds as if your penis size falls within the normal spectrum. Regular masturbation is not unusual and doesn't help testicular cancer to grow.

I am unable to give you 'detailed tips on diagnosis so as to avoid the doctor', but can say that it is most unlikely that you have anything significant going on. But the only way you are going to be sure is to gather your courage and make an appointment to see your doc, and that is my advice to you. The sooner you go the less worried you will be!

Yours sincerely

Dr John Pillinger, GP

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