Worried about my Partner!

Hello, my Partner has recently been suffering with Pain in one of his Testicles, he’s found a lump, and only just told me today that he has had this lump inside his ballsack attached to his testicle for ages he said months possibly a year or could be more… he never suffered with pain before so sort of probably didn’t tell me and he never got checked out. I’m just extremely worried about him, he said it’s probably grown but not much but it’s pea sized maybe, but now he’s in a lot of pain with it. I’m extremely worried about him because obviously I love him so deeply and I don’t have anybody else left in my life but my Partner we’ve been together 8-9 years and I’m terrified of loosing him the only person I’ve got left. 

Please give me reassurance maybe it isn’t Cancer and it could be something else? Or is anything I’m talking about sound like Cancer? I’ve read so many different thing’s Online and I don’t know what to believe, I know he’s gonna get checked out but in the meantime I don’t know how to calm down. I feel sick and shaky and terrified with fear, I keep taking deep breaths. I just wish men wasn’t so stubborn and would go as soon as they felt something there, and not wait until it was causing him pain to speak out about it or finally realise, it’s frustrating. I know he may be embarrassed, but I told him it could cost him his life, it’s so important. 

Online has been saying it’s less likely to be because usually Cancer would have developed quicker, and not been around for that long, and also seen thing’s that say the lump wouldn’t be that painful it would usually be painless? I mean I don’t know, but I’d love some reassurance but most importantly honesty. 

Thank you 

  • Hi,

    I will start by saying i am not a medical professional and would strongly suggest your partner sees his GP. I can however offer you an alternative possibility other than cancer. Reading your description of your partners issues it sounds very similar to an issue i had which may give you some reassurance. The symptoms you describe of a lump within the scrotum that is painful or sensitive, possibly adjacent to the testicle but not within the testicle could be a cyst in my personal experience. I understand testicular cancer develops within the testicles itself so it doesn't sound like testicular cancer to me. I believe they are harmless but can be extremely uncomfortable and painful and can be removed with minor surgery as in my case. i hope my experience helps, but i wish your partner good luck getting his issue checked out.

  • Hi and thanks for your post. 

    Waiting to have tests for lumps or symptoms can be a worrying and anxious time, and unfortunately, until your partner is examined and has any tests that may be necessary, no one can tell you what has caused the lump in his testicle.

    It doesn't mean that the symptoms are being caused by cancer, and most lumps will not be cancer. However, it is best to be safe and for your partner to be checked by his GP so they can examine him and decide whether any further tests are needed. It is also important to know that if testicular cancer is found, it is very treatable and can usually be cured.

    Whilst I know it is tempting to search on the internet for answers, it is full of information that may not apply to your partner, and it certainly cannot provide a diagnosis. It can also be confusing and upsetting to read and often isn't helpful. 

    During this time of uncertainty for some people, it can be helpful to distract themselves by working or doing things they may enjoy such  as going for walks or going to the gym. Sometimes things like breathing exercises or meditation can help.

    It can be helpful to talk things through, if you would like to have a chat with one of our nurses on the helpline, the number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

    Take care and all the best

    Jemma

  • Hello, thank you so much for sharing your experience, I am very grateful to hear your story. He said it’s attached to his testicle and hard but small or pea sized and causing a lot of pain, but it’s not like floating around in there not attached he said it’s attached. Which is why I’m worrying so much. Could this possibly still be or sound like a cyst? Can they can be hard, painful and attached to the testicle itself? 

    Thanks again. 

  • Thank you so much for reassuring me, and helping me calm down a lot more, I do go to work thinking about it and silly thoughts like what if I only have so much time left with him etc… 

    it’s hard to get out of thinking that way, it’s not easy. 

    he went to see a Doctor today but they said they couldn’t feel anything there, but my Partner felt frustrated because he said he knows he can feel the lump himself and he’s in a lot of pain with it, so feels annoyed the Doctor couldn’t feel what he is feeling.

    the Doctor has referred him for an ultrasound but says it could take a few weeks as in, they will contact within the next few weeks, but I feel down and worried about waiting because “if” it is anything like Cancer, time isn’t really on his side and waiting frustrates me.  

    Can testicle cancer be painful being that small and could it still be a cyst if it’s hard and attached to the testicle itself? Also wondering if with it being there for quite some time that maybe it’s less likely to be Cancer as it would have spread faster? 

  • Hi 

    I can't answer your question regarding testicular cancer, i am sure there are other people on this forum who are better placed to comment on that.

    What i can say is the cyst i had was attached to the testicle and very sensitive and tender, so from your description i would say there are significant similarities so there is definitely a strong possibility its not anything more sinister.

    I too was thinking the worst before i was diagnosed, so it's only natural to be concerned.

  • It’s ok, thank you so much for your reply! It’s gave me better hope and understanding, and calmed me down more. I will be sure to let you know any updates on the situation as I think it’s great to c municate over experiences.  

  • Hello there and thanks for updating us on the forum

    It is good to hear your partner has seen his GP and he has been referred for an ultrasound. Waiting and not knowing can be unsettling for everyone involved but as we say try not to over think too much until you have all the facts.

    It is reassuring the GP couldn't feel anything concerning on examination, but because your partner is experiencing pain and discomfort in this area it is sensible for him to have an ultrasound to find out more.

    pain in the testicles can be caused by many things such as an injury, infection, knobbly veins, cysts and so on that you can read more about here. Most of the time it won't be the result of something as serious as a cancer but more tests may be needed to find out more.

    I hope the wait isn't too long and you can both get some peace of mind soon.

    Take care

    Naomi

  • Thank you, I just don’t want to wait forever, the longer it is the more I worry, because I think what if it grows in a few weeks time and if it is serious then it ends up being worse down the line because he had to wait, just because they chose not to do an ultrasound sooner. It’s frightening. Surely that urgent they would do one sooner. 

    Thanks again 

  • Hello again, my Partner is seeing a Sexual Health Clinic tomorrow as I wanted to try and get a better opinion on the matter, and get things moving faster as I’m terrified. 

    What I wanted to talk about is my Partner told me that the pain has now more or less gone from his testicle but the lump is still there, I’m worried even more because even though maybe I should feel more relieved the pain has gone, I’m worrying more because Online it’s saying that Cancer pain can come and go in the testicles is that true? Can the pain come and then go if it’s Cancer or would it usually just be painless or just painful without in and outs of pain? 

    Thank you 

  • Hello again

    I am sorry this is worrying you so much. Unfortunately until further tests are carried out no one can say for sure what the matter may be.

    Try and find some ways to manage your anxiety if you can and avoid googling anymore as it also cannot tell you or your partner the cause of this lump and can lead to more worry than help.

    I hope you both know more soon and you can get some peace of mind about all of this.

    Take care

    Naomi