On the ball
Question
Recently, I found a hard lump on my boyfriend's right testicle. I'm really worried, but he wont even tell his parents because he's too scared. How can I change his mind?
Answer
Many men, at some point in their lives, find a lump on their testicle. The good news is that it's relatively rare for this to turn out to be testicular cancer. Even so, there are a number of other conditions that could be behind it.
It's understandable that your boyfriend might feel too embarrassed to talk to his parents. However, it would be advisable for him to speak to someone about the lump, even if it's just to set his mind at rest. He could make an appointment to see his doctor (GP), or he could visit his local genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic for a check-up. He doesn't need to feel ashamed or embarrassed - it's the doctor's job to deal with this kind of thing.
Even though testicular cancer is rare, and one of the most easily treated cancers, it's important that it is diagnosed as early as possible. Although it can be difficult for men to ask for help, your boyfriend really should go and see a doctor as soon as possible if only for peace of mind. In the future he can also check his testicles on a regular basis to be aware of any changes there might be.
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