How To Check Your Testicles
There is no national screening programme for testicular cancer in the UK. This is because there isn’t a reliable test that can pick up testicular cancer at an early stage.
This means that self-checking your testicles is one of the best ways of catching testicular cancer early. Many lumps or swellings in the scrotum are not cancerous but it is always better to be sure. Whilst testicular cancer is relatively uncommon but highly treatable at all stages.
It’s good to be aware of what your body is normally like, so it’s easier to notice if anything changes.
Normal testicles should feel smooth and firm, but not hard.
A testicular self-exam is best performed after a warm bath or shower because heat relaxes the scrotum, making it easier to spot anything abnormal.
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Using both hands, feel one testicle at a time.
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Between your thumb and finger, inspect by rolling the testicle.
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Familiarise yourself with the spermatic cord and epididymis tube that connects to the back side of each testicle.
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Feel for lumps, bumps and changes in size. It is normal for one testicle to be larger than the other.
For a guide to checking yourself please click HERE to view a leaflet from the Oddballs Foundation.
Or if you would prefer to watch a video please take a look at this one below from the Movember organisation.
It’s recommended that you perform a self-exam once a month. By checking regularly, you’ll have an easier time noticing when something has changed.
If you notice anything unusual, even if it seems small or painless, see a doctor as soon as possible. Early detection and treatment are crucial for successful outcomes.
More information about the look and feel of normal testicles, the symptoms of testicular cancer and diagnosing testicular cancer can be found via the links below.