How to examine yourself for testicular cancer

If you're a guy in your twenties or thirties you are at increased risk for testicular cancer. Although over the course of his lifetime a man's risk of testicular cancer is around .4%, it is most common among males aged 15-35 years. If you are in this demographic you should be checking yourself regularly. The purpose of this article is to show you how to do just that.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• hands
• testicles
• warm water

1. Examine yourself during a bath or while having a shower, as this will soften the skin of the scrotum and make it easier for you to feel the testicles.

2. First examine the scrotum. Look for lumps on the skin, swelling or tenderness.

3. Next hold the entire scrotum (and both testicles) in the palm of your hand and note the differences between the testicles. Has anything changed since your last evaluation?

4. Now examine each testicle individually, comparing them with each other. Gently roll each testicle between thumb and forefinger.

5. Feel for any lumps or swellings. Both testicles should be smooth except where the duct that carries sperm to the **** runs. This lies along the top and back of the testicle and has a textured feel.

Tips & Warnings

• One testicle is almost always larger and lower lying, this is completely normal.

Resources

• The Testicular Cancer Resource Center's Testicular Self Exam Page
• Testicular Self Examination at Rutgers Health