“I honestly just thought my pants were too tight.” That’s how Andre Thurairatnam first described the dull, achy pain and heaviness he felt in his testicle area.  “For months, I ignored it, thinking it was nothing serious,” he says. “But when noticeable swelling appeared and my testicle felt hard, I thought something wasn’t right.”

That’s when Andre sought medical care and was diagnosed with testicular cancer at Scarborough Health Network. His journey included surgery and chemotherapy all while managing pre-existing health conditions.

Throughout his treatment, the dedicated teams at Scarborough hospitals provided life-saving care and support that made all the difference. Read his full story  

Andre knows firsthand that noticing even subtle changes and acting early can be lifesaving.  

Key Symptoms to Watch For:

• Lumps or bumps in the testicle area (even as small as a pea)
• Dull aches or heaviness in the testicles
• Swelling or noticeable size differences
• Pain in the lower back or groin area
• Tenderness or enlargement of breast tissue

Today, he is in remission and shares his story during Men’s Health Month to encourage other men to take proactive steps for their health.

Testicular cancer often shows no symptoms but catching it early can make all the difference.

“Perform regular self-checks, ideally every time you are in the shower, and go see a doctor immediately if any of these symptoms persist for more than two weeks,” he says.