The following is a personal letter from a rezboy discussing the aspects of testicular cancer and some information on testicular self-check exams. It is meant to be informative, so Enjoy!

How to do a self-check for testicular cancer

Dear testicles,

I am writing to you today to discuss a very important topic that concerns your health. It is also very important I talk to you because it also affects me. I am writing to discuss TESTICULAR CANCER.

Yes, my friends, cancer. Being a young 20-year-old fellow, with dark brown shining skin, toned muscles, good looks, and a heaping helping of intelligence and mental stamina, I am concerned about your health. You see, you two are the biggest cause of death due to cancer among me and my fellow males in the same age group (teens to late twenties). That is a scary statistic, and it can be a serious problem if you guys go nuts—well not nuts, because that is what you are, but I mean if you turn cancerous on me.

As I write this, I’m not even sure if you know what happens to you when you do become cancerous. Let me explain. You two are a major part of the reproductive system. If you didn’t know, you are located under my penis, and in a sac(k) called the scrotum. Because you don’t get to check yourself out in a mirror, I’ve enclosed a drawing to show you what you look like (fig 1).

Within your home (scrotum), you create and store semen for the sole reason of producing li’l ones. By secreting hormones, you two also make me look like a man, which, I must say, you’ve done very well! Geez, without you two, I would not be manly—which is all the more reason you guys gotta stay healthy.

Anyway, so if you guys become cancerous, it will most likely arise from your germ cells. Germ cells are the “mother” cells that multiply to create all that sperm. From these germ cells, two major types of cancer can arise.

The first is seminoma. Seminoma refers to the cancer that develops directly from these germ cells. Luckily, this type of cancer is easily treated by radiation.

The second type, nonseminoma, also comes from germ cells, but can include a variety of different cell types. Therefore, special identification is required so doctors know if the cancer is easily metastasizable. It will also help determine the mode of treatment that should be done. I’ve included a picture to show you how bad you guys can get if the cancer goes undetected (fig 2).

I know it sounds scary, you guys, but don’t worry. I will regularly check on you two using the self-check testicle test. If you guys do become cancerous, we will catch it early, and will get some good treatment right away.

Well, I will close here. Let’s keep in touch, because I’m always interested to hear how things are hanging.

Sincerely,

Your Caring Hunk-A-Love.