Learn How to Check for Testicular Cancer

The encouraging news is that the sooner testicular cancer is found and treated; the better the chances are for a full recovery. Therefore, it is important to get testicular cancer screenings by your doctor during your routine physical exams. However, you too can be proactive and catch signs of testicular cancer early by performing monthly self-check exams.

Learn how to perform a Testicular Self-Examination
A monthly Testicular Self-Exam (TSE) of the testicles is an effective way of becoming familiar with this area of the body and thus enabling the detection of testicular cancer at an early and very curable stage. Men over the age of 15 should perform a TSE at least once a month to learn what everything feels like when things are normal, and to check back every month to make sure that nothing has changed. If there’s pain or any changes noticed in the testicles, see a health care provider right away.

Step 1: Stand in a warm shower – this relaxes the scrotum, making it easier to feel for abnormalities

• Gently feel your scrotal sac to locate a testicle
•  Firmly but gently roll the testicle between the thumb and fingers of both hands to examine the entire surface
• Become familiar with the epididymis, the soft, tubelike structure behind the testicle that collects and carries sperm – lumps on or attached to the epididymis are usually not cancerous
• Repeat the procedure with the other testicle

• Check for any swelling on the scrotal skin
• Check for any enlargement of a testicle
• Check for a significant loss in size of a testicle
• Check for enlargement or tenderness of the breasts

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