You are probably not too young to start checking your testicles for cancer. The Mayo Clinic recommends that all men, beginning at the age of 15, should perform regular self-testicular exams. Testicular cancer, although a rare form of cancer, occurs most often in men between the ages of 20 and 54 years old, according to the American Cancer Society. You should perform a self-testicular examination at least once a month. The exam is quick to perform, only taking about three minutes, and it may help you to detect signs of cancer in the early stages, when it is easiest to treat.
Step 1
Perform your self-testicular exam immediately after taking a warm shower. The warm water from your shower relaxes the skin on your testicles, making manual examination easier.
Step 2
Stand in front of a mirror unclothed. Visually examine your testicles and look for swollen areas, lumps or a change in size.
Step 3
Examine your testicles using both hands while standing up, working with one testis (single testicle) at a time. Grasp your testis, using your thumbs and fingers. Place your thumbs on top of your testis and your fingers on the underside of your testis. Gently roll the testis between your fingers and feel for swollen areas and lumps. Also, feel for changes in the texture of your testis, such as it being a harder consistency than normal. Healthy testicles feel smooth in texture, are firm and are oval shaped.
Tips and Warnings
- Your testicles contain blood vessels and an epididymis (a tube that carries sperm), which can be felt during a testicular exam. If you are confused about how healthy testicles should feel, see your doctor for an explanation. With regular testicular examinations, you will learn how your testicles normally feel so that you can catch changes if they happen. If you find a lump, do not panic. Oftentimes lumps are caused by non-cancerous conditions.
- Do not rely solely on self-testicular exams to detect cancer. The effectiveness of self-testicular exams are not known. See your doctor regularly for checkups. See your doctor if you notice any changes in the shape, size or firmness of your testicles. Also, see your doctor if you are experiencing pain, discomfort or any other unusual testicular symptoms.
Things You'll Need
- Mirror
