Q I have noticed a swelling in my scrotum but I'm too embarrassed to go to my doctor about it. What could it be?

A First, I would urge you to try to overcome your embarrassment about this sort of thing which is quite an everday aspect in the doctor's surgery and will be handled discreetly and routinely.

I do understand different peoples' sensitivities but, in all seriousness,when it comes to health these things mustn't get in the way and potentially compromise our well-being.

Lumps in the scrotum can be several things but you must go to your doctor to make sure that this isn't a growth, possibly even a cancer.

Many types of cyst can occur in the testicle and surrounding tubes and one in four men will have swelling of the veins around the left testicle, noticeable when standing up, which sometimes causes aching.

Cancer of the testicle occurs in young men usually - around 20 to 35 years - but may also affect men aged 60 or older.

Fortunately, if caught early it is a very curable form of cancer so we should all be checking ourselves regularly and going to see our doctors if we have any doubts about swellings in the scrotum.

Updated: 09:54 Monday, January 28, 2002