How do you screen yourself for testicular cancer?
Hold your penis out of the way and examine each testicle separately. Hold your testicle between your thumbs and fingers with both hands and roll it gently between your fingers. Look and feel for any hard lumps or nodules (smooth rounded masses) or any change in the size, shape, or consistency of your testicles.
Can testicular cancer be detected by self exam?
A testicular self-examination is one way to reduce risk of testicular cancer. The best time to examine your testicles is during or after a bath or shower, when the skin of the scrotum is relaxed.
Can be mistaken for a lump during testicular self exam?
A varicocele, which occurs when the veins in the testicle dilate, can cause enlargement and lumpiness around the testicle that may be mistaken for a cancerous lump as well.
Where is the best place for a male to complete a testicular self exam?
It’s best to do it during or just after a hot shower or bath. The scrotum (skin that covers the testicles) is most relaxed then, which makes it easier to feel the testicles for lumps. Lumps may be as small as a piece of rice or a pea.
What are the steps of a testicular self examination?
It takes only a few simple steps:
- Take a warm shower or bath to allow the heat to relax the skin of your scrotum.
- Hold your penis out of the way.
- Examine one testicle at a time using both hands.
- Feel for a pea-sized lump.
- Check for any changes in the size, shape, or feel of your testicles.
Are testicular self exams recommended?
In conclusion, testicular self-examination in adolescent and adults men should be routinely done for early diagnosis of testicular diseases especially varicocele. The authors recommend all young men receive a testicular examination as part of their general physical examination and be educated about varicocele.
What do you look for when doing a self testicular exam?
To perform a testicular self-examination, grasp and roll the testicle between your thumbs and forefingers, feeling for lumps, swelling, hardness or other changes. A testicular self-exam is an inspection of the appearance and feel of your testicles.
How do you check your balls properly?
How to check
- Hold one testicle between the thumbs and fingers of both hands and roll it gently between your fingers.
- Look and feel for any hard lumps, or smooth, rounded bumps, or any change in the size, shape, or consistency of the testicles.
- Repeat with your other testicle.
Why is it important to perform a testicular self-exam?
Testicular Self-Exam Testicular self-examination is when you check your testicles for any abnormalities. It is important to know what feels normal and to be able to notice any changes. Changes are not always cancer. If it is cancer and you catch it early, you have the best chance for a cure.