How to Perform a Testicular Self Examination

With the increase of testicular cancer in the United States each year, it is vital that men perform a self examination on a monthly basis. Performing a self examination could save your life and help detect any abnormalities a lot faster. Learn how to perform a self examination!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Before doing a testicular self examination, make sure that you take a nice, warm shower. Warm water will loosen your skin on your testicles, making it easier to examine for abnormalities and lumps.

2. As weird as this might sound, stand in front of a mirror when performing a testicular self examination. Stand one leg on a chair and you will notice that one of your testicles is lower than the other. This is perfectly normal. What you want to inspect first is to see if there is any swellings.

3. Moving on, use both of your hands and feel each testicle. Feel for any abnormal lumps. Lumps can be pea-sized or smaller/bigger. If you feel a lump, it might hurt or you might not feel a thing. If you feel a lump, you need to go to the hospital to get a thorough check up. This might be a sign of testicular cancer, so contact your local doctor and make an appointment as soon as possible.

4. Make sure that you perform a testicular self examination at least once a month. Just because you didn't feel a lump one day doesn't mean that you will be safe.

5. If testicular cancer is detected, you can have almost a 100% recovery rate. If it is discovered late, you might have to amputate it off. Make sure that you do your monthly testicular self examination!

Tips & Warnings

• Remember, a doctor will know what's best for you. Go to a doctor if you feel that there is even the slightest abnormality. It's better to be safe than sorry.

[mwchambers]

on 2/11/2009 Informative. I'm scared to ask how you did this. 5* and I will recommend you. You have a wide array of articles.