A testicular self-exam is a quick test you can perform when you get out of the bath or shower that could be life-saving.
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A testicular self-exam is a quick test you can perform when you get out of the bath or shower that could be life-saving. Catching testicular cancer early can help you treat it before it spreads to other parts of your body.
Think you’re too young to worry about testicular cancer? Think again. Testicular cancer is the most common cancer affecting males between 20 and 34.
In this guide, we’ll explore how you can perform a testicular exam, why these exams are important, and what to do if you discover something unusual.
A testicular self-exam (TSE) is a way to check your testicles for any changes or abnormalities that could be a sign of testicular cancer or other testicular issues. Doing a TSE regularly can help you get to know the normal size, shape, and feel of your testicles. This may make it easier for you to spot changes.
It’s important to note that most testicular lumps aren’t cancerous. All types of lumps and bumps can develop on your testicles, including benign cysts. But these rarely cause problems.
If you have a higher risk of testicular cancer (a family history can bump up your risk), a healthcare professional might recommend doing monthly exams. But anyone can benefit from regular checks.
Performing regular testicular self-exams can potentially help you notice small problems with your testicles before they become big problems.
The good news? Catching testicular cancer early often leads to a positive outcome. But the more time the cancer has to grow, the more it can spread to other tissues, making treatment trickier.
Here are some statistics on testicular cancer:
Close to 10,000 people get diagnosed with testicular cancer in the United States each year.
About 600 men in the United States die each year from testicular cancer.
About 1 in 250 males develop testicular cancer at some point during their lives.
The average age at the initial time of diagnosis is about 33.
About 6% of cases occur in children and teens and about 8% occur in men over 55.
A TSE should take just a few minutes. You can do it in front of a mirror or while standing or sitting in a comfortable position.
The best time to check your testicles is after you get out of the shower or a bath since the hot water can relax your scrotum and make it easier to spot changes.
Follow these steps to perform a testicular self exam at home:
Stand or sit in front of a mirror to check for any visible changes. Hold your penis out of the way and examine each of your testicles separately.
Hold one of your testicles between your fingers and thumbs of both hands. Roll your testicle gently through your fingers.
Feel and examine your testicle for any hard lumps or smooth rounded masses that feel new. You can also look for changes in size, consistency, or shape.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
Find a consistent time. It’s a good idea to do a self-exam around the same time every month. Setting a reminder on your phone or calendar can help you stay on track.
Relax. Try to relax when doing the self-exam. The more relaxed you are, the easier it will be to feel anything unusual.
Use both hands. Always use both hands to examine your testicles. This gives you a better sense of their size, shape, and texture. Using one hand could make it harder to detect irregularities.
Don’t rush. Take your time to check each testicle carefully.
Hopefully by now you know how to perform an exam and why regular exams are important. But what should you be looking out for?
When you do your testicular self-exam, keep an eye out for the following:
Lumps or growths. Note any unusual lumps or bumps in your testicle or scrotum. A lump is the most common symptom of testicular cancer. Lumps can be as small as a pea or larger. Some lumps may cause pain but many don’t.
Changes in size or shape. A sudden increase in size or a change in shape is a sign you should visit your doctor.
Heaviness in your scrotum. A feeling of fullness or heaviness can be a sign of swelling or fluid buildup. You may notice your scrotum feels firmer or harder than usual.
Pain or tenderness. Any pain or discomfort, especially if it’s persistent, should be a red flag to get checked by your doctor. Testicular pain can be a sign of a condition called varicocele. A varicocele is an enlargement of the veins that transport blood away from your testicles.
Having one testicle that's slightly larger or lower than the other is normal and not usually a sign that something is wrong. When in doubt, talk to your healthcare provider.
Aside from physical changes in your testicles, other symptoms of testicular cancer can include:
Breast growth
Breast soreness
Early puberty in boys
Symptoms of advanced cancer spread to distant tissues include:
Low back pain
Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Cough
Belly pain
Headaches
Confusion
Here’s what you can do if you notice something unusual doing your exam.
Self-checks are great for spotting changes, but don’t jump to conclusions if you notice something unusual. Most lumps or changes aren’t serious. If something seems off, reach out to a healthcare professional for medical advice. But leave the diagnosing to the experts.
It’s normal to jump to the worse case scenario if you notice any changes to your testicles. But, it’s important to keep in mind that most testicle lumps aren’t cancerous. For example, cysts are pretty common, while testicular cancer is relatively rare.
Hydroceles can also cause painless swelling in your testicles. In adults, they can happen due to injury or infections.
It’s important to schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider if you notice any changes in your testicles. A doctor can check your testicles for abnormalities and order additional tests if necessary.
If your doctor suspects testicular cancer or another condition, they may recommend additional imaging or tests to confirm the diagnosis. They may order:
An ultrasound
Blood tests
A biopsy
They may also refer you to a specialist in urology.
Testicular cancer is often highly treatable, even in late stages.
Treatment usually involves surgery to remove the affected testicle. Depending on how advanced your cancer is, you may receive other treatments such as:
Radiation therapy
Chemotherapy
High-dose chemotherapy with a stem cell transplant
Your testicles are the primary site of testosterone production. If you have both your testicles removed, you may need to receive testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) to maintain healthy levels of the male sex hormone.
Some men who have their testicles removed develop erectile dysfunction (ED) that may be temporary or permanent.
Regular testicular self-examination is important for detecting changes with your testicles. A self-check only takes a few minutes.
Here are some key points to keep in mind:
Testicular self-exams can help with early detection. These quick, monthly checks can help you catch the early signs of testicular cancer.
A self-exam looks for changes in size, feel, and appearances. Lumps, size differences, heaviness, or pain can be a sign that something is off with your testicles.
A healthcare provider can help figure out what’s going on. If you notice something unusual, make a doctor’s appointment.
Testicular cancer doesn’t usually cause pain. If one of your testicles is painful, there might be another underlying cause. Learn more about what might cause pain in one testicle.
But, here’s the thing: Anything that feels off or out-of-the-norm for you should prompt you to get checked by a healthcare professional. Better safe than sorry!
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