The real idea behind the testicular self-examination is to establish a good degree of familiarity with your testes. It's important to know your scrotum well enough to notice any changes that seem suspicious. Here are a few dependable signs that suggest something shady is going down:
* Hard lumps. Rock-hard lumps on the testicles can vary in size from that of a pea to that of a golf ball. These abnormal lumps will often feel as hard as bone, and will almost always be present on only one testicle. It's very common for Joe Sixpack to mistake a harmless congenital cyst for a malignancy; that's because it's impossible to tell the difference between the two during a TSE. It's best to let your doctor decide by using more sophisticated tests (See Step 4).
* Tenderness or general discomfort. A tender testis is rarely a sign of cancer, but anytime your testicles hurt without being bumped, it's a good idea to have them checked out by a doctor. Cancer-related testicular pain is usually associated with some bleeding, but an overly sensitive testicle could also suggest an inguinal hernia or epididymitis, an infection of the sperm-storing tube attached to the testicle. Either problem is treatable by a physician.
* Hardness in the entire testicle. This is usually the result of a hydrocele, a cystic mass in the testicle. A leaky hernia, prior trauma or infection could cause one of these fluid-filled sacs to show up where you'd like it the least, but fear not: Hydroceles are easily treatable, too.
* Discharge from the penis. Though rarely an indication of cancer, a nonejaculatory discharge from the penis during TSE could suggest a sexually transmitted disease, in which case you should consult a physician--not to mention your lover.
