How to check yourself for testicular cancer

How common is testicular cancer?

Testicular cancer is a very common type of cancer. There are around 2,400 new testicular cancer cases in the UK every year¹, which is more than six every day. Carrying out a self-examination is an important part of staying healthy - especially if you have a family history of testicular cancer, and noticing any changes early could mean catching cancer cells earlier.

Why is it important to check your own testicles?

"Regularly checking your testicles is an important part of keeping on top of your health,” says Kieran Kelly, manager at the testicular cancer charity The OddBalls Foundation.

"It's quick, easy and could potentially save your life. It's important to check regularly because you need to know what feels normal for you. Therefore, if you do notice any changes, you can be proactive and seek the medical help required."

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Testicular cancer is a cancer that arises from a testicle (testis). Around half of all cases occur in men aged under 35 but testicular cancer rarely occurs before puberty. It is the most common cancer in men aged 15-44 years. There are about 2,000 new cases in the UK each year. The common early symptom of testicular cancer is a painless lump that develops in a testis. Treatment involves surgery to remove the affected testis. Chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy may also be advised depending on the exact type and stage of the cancer when diagnosed. Treatment often works well, even for testicular cancer that has spread. More than 9 in 10 men with testicular cancer can be cured.

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How to check your testicles

From puberty onwards, it is important to check your testicles regularly. Testicular cancer is usually always cured but it is easier to treat when it is diagnosed early. Examining yourself once a month means you know what feels normal for you.

First, you need to hold your scrotum in the palm of your hand. Use your fingers and thumb to examine each testicle. You should feel for lumps or swellings, anything unusual or any differences between your testicles.

"The best time to check yourself is after having a warm bath or a warm shower because your testicles become more soft and easier to feel for any physical changes," says Kelly.

Kelly recommends a four-step process for checking yourself. "Step one involves using both hands to feel one testicle at a time. Step two involves rolling the testicle between your thumb and your fingers to inspect any changes," he says.

"Step three encourages people to familiarise themselves with the spermatic cord and the epididymis tube (- tube that carries sperm - that connects to the back side of each testicle," adds Kelly.

The epididymis feels like a coiled tube and it is common to get harmless cysts and benign lumps in that area, which can be treated. However, every lump needs to be assessed just in case.

"Lastly, step four involves feeling for lumps, bumps and any changes in size. It's important to note that it is normal for one testicle to be larger than the other. We encourage everyone to speak to a doctor if they have any concerns whatsoever, as it's always better to be safe than sorry."

Oddballs Foundation Testicle Checker

What are the signs of testicular cancer?

The most common symptom of testicular cancer is a lump in a testicle, or a dull ache or feeling of heaviness in the scrotum. Another symptom is a painless lump or swelling in a testicle, which may suddenly get larger and become painful.

"Some people who have been diagnosed with testicular cancer have been unable to report any specific signs but they just felt like something didn't feel right or normal to them," says Kelly. Other conditions can also cause lumps or swellings.Most lumps are not cancer. However, it is important you get your doctor to check anything unusual as soon as possible.

What should you do if you are worried about testicular cancer?

If you notice any changes in your testicles or are worried that something doesn't seem right, it's important not to feel embarrassed and to speak to your doctor as soon as you can. Not all lumps and bumps are a sign of testicular cancer, but if you do receive a diagnosis, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery are the three main treatments. Although cancer can be a scary diagnosis, the outlook and survival rates for testicular cancer is one of the best for all cancers².

"It's important to get things checked out early because treatment for testicular cancer is much more effective when started early," says Kelly.

Further reading

1. Cancer Research UK: Testicular cancer statistics.

2. Cancer Research UK: Survival for testicular cancer.