Your Self chec™
Testicular Cancer Guide
SCROLL DOWN THIS PAGE TO FIND OUT WHEN AND HOW TO CHECK.


Testicular cancer is treatable and highly curable when detected early. Testicular cancer occurs in men of all ages, but is the most common cancer among men aged 15-34.

It may feel uncomfortable at first to do your Testicular Self-check. It may also be embarrassing as well, for you to talk to your doctor about your penis and testicles, but it’s time you did. Testicular cancer is highly curable when caught early, but can kill you if left untreated.

Become familiar with
Checking Your Private Parts

Testicular cancer occurs in the testicles (testes). The testicles are the smooth,
oval-shaped organs located inside the scrotum, the loose bag of skin underneath your penis. Pain, swelling, or a lump in your testicle or groin area may be a sign
of a less serious medical condition or symptom of testicular cancer, each requiring treatment. Make an appointment with your doctor even if the lump in your testicle is not painful (only a small percentage of testicular cancers are painful from the outset).

If you have a Self chec™ caring kit don’t forget to attach a monthly Self chec™ reminder sticker to your date book to remind you to do your monthly Testicular, Skin and Breast Self-check and call the doctor to schedule your yearly check-up.

You can also set up a free monthly reminder on the Self chec™ Web site. It's easy, just click the Green Box on the right and fill in the blanks. Remember, it could save your life.


Beginning at age 15-18, do a monthly Testicular Self-check.
By checking your testicles frequently, you will be the first person to notice any changes that may take place. If you have a family history of testicular cancer, you should ask your doctor about starting your self-checks at an earlier age.

Have your doctor check you yearly.

Use the following
Self chec's™ Step-by-Step Guide to
Checking Your Testicles

The best time to check your testicles is after a warm shower or bath. The heat from the water causes the skin of your scrotum, to relax, making it easier to check.

Examine each testicle with both hands. Place your index and middle fingers under the testicle while placing your thumbs on top. Applying slight pressure, gently roll the testicle between your thumbs and fingers, looking for any irregularities like small, painless lumps. The testicles are usually smooth, oval shaped and somewhat firm; it's normal for one testicle to be slightly larger than the other.

Now examine your epididymis, the comma-shaped cord behind each testicle, which sometimes gets confused for an abnormal lump. By regularly performing this exam, you will become more familiar with your testicles and aware of any changes that might be of concern.

If you find something suspicious CLICK HERE

This Testicular Self-check is not a substitute for seeing your doctor yearly. To be effective, testicular cancer early detection must combine 1) Monthly Testicular checks and 2) Regular Clinical Exams.

IMPORTANT: The information on the cancer pages of this site was culled by the director of Self chec and initially reviewed by the folks at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, based on the newest information from the national cancer advisory organizations, including, but not limited to, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and American Cancer Society. We recognize that the national cancer advisory organizations sometimes do not agree about specific cancer guidelines, often making it confusing to the public about what to do. That is why we are asking you to err on the side of caution by always consulting a healthcare professional to advise you in the healthy choices you will make. Thank you.

This page was last modified October 20, 2008

WHY illustration by David Sundel courtesy of
The MD Anderson Cancer Center Web site.

How illustration courtesy of
The Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research