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    Ball Checking & Found Something?

    You’re about to discover the single most important fact about testicular cancer that you (probably) didn’t know. That more than 96% of men who get testicular cancer will be cured.

    And if every man reading this page were to follow our advice, then together we’d have the potential to boost the cure rate even more.

    Now wouldn’t that be incredible?

    Monthly ball-checks and why you need them!

    Although most cancers get more common as you get older, testicular cancer is different. It’s most likely to happen when you’re young or middle aged.

    Testicular cancer is the most common cancer of 25 to 45-year-old men (but it happens to younger and older guys too).

    If you’re male and aged 15+, a simple monthly ball-check will give you the best chance of beating the disease should it ever happen to you.

    See more information on how to do it, below:

    Monthly Ball Checks

    How to check your balls...

    Once a month, take a few minutes to check for any changes: - The best time is after a bath or shower - Rest your balls in the palm of your hand, and gently roll each one between finger and thumb - If you find something strange, don’t stew over whether it’s serious or not. Go straight to your GP! This will give you the best chance of early diagnosis in the rare event of testicular cancer.Early diagnosis means: - Better chance of successful treatment - Quicker and more straightforward treatmentRemember: Ball problems are usually caused by something much less serious than cancer, but you should never try to figure out what’s wrong without your doctor’s advice.GET TO KNOW YOUR BALLS

    What to look for...

    It’s normal to have one ball slightly bigger, or hanging slightly lower than the other.That’s why you should get to know what’s normal for you and then look for changes.

    Found Something?

    If you’ve noticed a change in one of your balls or it just doesn’t feel right, then here’s what you should do:1. Don’t panic! 2. Don’t wait – See your GP immediately.Remember: 9 out of 10 ball problems are not testicular cancer. Your symptoms are likely caused by something much less serious. But because early diagnosis of TC means better cure rates and more straightforward treatment, you should get yourself to the doctor ASAP.Symptoms of testicular cancer include: Along with these, some men also get hot sweats, tender nipples, breathlessness, a heavy scrotum, or pain in their groin, back or belly.

    Fight the fear and do it anyway!

    Fear of cancer: Whilst this is normal, there’s nothing scarier than facing your fears alone inside your head. Whatever’s up with your balls, sharing your concerns and getting professional help will put you in the best hands. Never forget that over 96% of testicular cancer patients are cured – even when it has spread to other parts of the body.DON'T FEAR TESTICULAR CANCER, IT'S ACTUALLY VERY TREATABLE, ESPECIALLY IF CAUGHT EARLY.

    How to deal with your doctor’s appointment...

    The examination:The Doctor will roll each of your balls between thumb and forefinger and try to find the abnormality. If your problem is a lump, point it out when they hit the spot. Sometimes the doctor will shine a torch on your scrotum (ball bag) to see if the light shines through the lump. Cancerous lumps tend to be solid, but what you have might just be a fluid-filled cyst (hydrocele.)
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    What should happen next?

    What should happen next?Your appointment could have several outcomes. The doctor will do one of the following:- Be satisfied that nothing’s wrong - Decide you’ve got an infection in the epididymis (the tube that carries sperm and semen) and so prescribe antibiotics. - Refer you on for further testsIf the doctor feels that nothing’s wrong but you’re not convinced, don’t be afraid to ask them to refer you to a urologist (a doctor that specialises in everything ‘down there’). Many different health issues affect testicles, and the urologist may be able to help you with yours.

    A few extra facts

    Over 96% of men with testicular cancer in the UK are cured.

    Survival rates for testicular cancer have risen every year since the 70s.

    Testicular cancer is the most common cancer of men aged 15-45 in the UK. Rates of testicular cancer peak in the 25 to 34 age group.

    Around 2,500 men are diagnosed with testicular cancer each year in the UK and of those approximately 240 are in the South West of England.

    Testicular cancer is on the rise – twice as many British men get it now as they did in the mid-70s.

    Men who had undescended testicle(s) as a baby have a higher risk of getting testicular cancer.

    Being taller than average increases the risk.

    Men with Hypospadias – an abnormality of the penis and urethra.

    Men with low fertility.

    Having a brother and/or father who has had testicular cancer.

    We still don’t know what causes testicular cancer. Research is ongoing!

    Testicular cancer can’t be caused by knocks or injuries to the balls (but if you get any kind of swelling or lump following an injury, you should still get your GP to check it out).

    Having a vasectomy doesn’t mean you’re more likely to get testicular cancer.

    Testicular cancer isn’t infectious and can’t be passed on to other people.

    Pledge to check banner

    MAKE THE PLEDGE

    Join the winning team in the battle against testicular cancer!

    A few minutes once a month to check your balls – that’s all it takes. Thinking it’s a good idea is one thing, remembering to do it is another.

    But we’re here to help…
    Follow us on our social media channels and we’ll remind you on the 1st of the month.

    You’ll be making a positive step towards protecting your health, raising the profile of ball-checking and helping others stay safer – all in one fell swoop

    SAS Who Checks Wins – Don’t Bottle It!

    You can help us to raise awareness and save lives.

    As you know our aims are Support Awareness Survival (SAS) so Bill Brand came up with the concept loosely based on SAS Who Dares Wins.

    This campaign has been endorsed by Mark Billy Billingham MBE and the film made finalists at Charity Film Awards.

    SAS

    Are your balls Match Fit?

    The award-winning Match Fit Campaign uses materials based on 7 ball sports to promote the importance of self-checking and saving lives.

    We have packs for your club and also pitch banners too. If you would like a pack contact us.

    Contact Us
    Match fit?

    Keep calm and check your balls

    Our main campaign has been:

    KEEP CALM AND CHECK YOUR BALLS
    KEEP CALM AND CHECK HIS BALLS
    AND KEEP CALM AND CHECK THEIR BALLS.

    This campaign started with a WW2 film in 2010 and has been running ever since.

    Check your balls

    Testicle Twinning

    It’s in the Bag are honoured to be twinned with sister charity in South Africa Love Your Nuts. In November 2020 we confirmed this partnership at The Testicular Ball with a live link to South Africa talking to Love Your Nuts founder and CEO, Torsten Koehler.

    The whole concept was the idea of Volunteer Johnny Willder who used ‘What 3 Words’ to find where Support Awareness Survival was on the map and the rest is history.

    Twinning

    Generously Supported By

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