Testicular cancer testing cost ? Posted: 06-09-08 15:46pm
Hello. I've been without health insurance
(in California) for about 2 years now and
am 23 years old.
About three days ago, I had this dull pain
in my left testicle that would come and
go. It more or less felt heavy all the
time, but if it was touched in a certain
spot (at about the 4 o'clock position on
the testicle, facing me), it hurt very
much.
The pain gradually escalated to today,
when it hurts so much that it's noticeable
whenever I sit or walk. I went to a
walk-in clinic this morning and while the
doctor was examining me, I felt a small
bump where the pain occurred. I hadn't
felt this on my own before ... maybe
because I wasn't looking closely enough
because it hurt to the touch.
Anyway, the doctor said it's probably
either a cyst or cancer. I was looking
online, and it seemed to suggest that
cancerous lumps don't usually hurt -- or
at least at first. Is this true?
Also, since it looks like I'm going to
need at minimum a blood test and
ultrasound, does anyone have advice on
where to go or how much these procedures
generally cost? Again, I have no insurance
and have never had any real dealings with
a hospital or specialist.
I live in California if that helps. I make
too much money to qualify for any of the
state health insurance programs.
I obviously want to get this condition
checked out ASAP, but I also don't want to
end up draining my savings and going into
debt to have this properly examined.
Any advice would be much appreciated!!
Thanks!!!
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MandMs
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 26 Jan 2007 Posts: 2300 Location: Strumica, Macedonia
Thanks: 48
Thanked:11
Posted: 06-10-08 04:16am
Do you feel a dull ache in your lower
abdomen or groin, too?
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PSBOY92262
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 2
Posted: 06-10-08 18:03pm
No, don't feel a dull ache in my abdomen
... maybe occasionally in my groin, tho I
think it's mainly from the sore spot I
described.
Is that a good sign??
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MandMs
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 26 Jan 2007 Posts: 2300 Location: Strumica, Macedonia
Thanks: 48
Thanked:11
Posted: 06-12-08 04:22am
A lump in either testicle, feeling of
heaviness in the scrotum, a dull ache in
the abdomen or groin, pain or discomfort
in a testicle or the scrotum, are all
symptoms of testicular cancer.
It's best for you to undergo ultrasound
check as soon as possible (doctor may,
also, order various other imagining tests,
x-ray, CT, MRI, scan)
Blood tests are done to detect certain
tumor "markers", but, in some cases,
though, testicular cancer can occur
without raising blood marker levels.
Take some action (please, inform me about
your further steps)!
Best wishes!
Marija
