Get Your Testicles Out - It's Time to Examine Them!

Testicular cancer is curable, but only if you catch it early! Here's how to do a testicle self exam on yourself (or on a friend or loved one!). So get your testicles ready, and keep reading...

Why you should do a self testicle exam.
Testicular cancer can be cured if you find it early enough. Most guys only get their testicles examined in a doctor's office once a year at their annual exam, and some don't even do that. Your best chance to discover testicle cancer in its earliest stages is to do your own testicle self exam as often as you can.

How to do the testicular self exam.
Get your testicles out. (You can do this now, *unless* you're reading this from a public Internet terminal at the library, or an Internet cafe, or somewhere like that.) Now, one at a time, feel each testicle (that's the egg-shaped part inside each side of the scrotum sac). Roll each testicle between your thumb and fingers, feeling for hard lumps or bumps.

Pay attention to the consistency and contours of your testicles. Each time your repeat the exam, mentally compare it with the previous times. If you detect changes, even if they are not accompanied by pain, follow up with your health care professional.

When and where should I examine my testicles?
Any time and (almost) anywhere. You don't need any special equipment to check your testicles, so any place that you can do the exam without distractions, and without distracting others, is okay. If your spouse would like to take part in securing your testicular health, ask her to help you do the exam. (Many times, changes in the testicles are noticed first by the wives.)

For many years, the American Cancer Society has advised doing your testicular self exams in the shower. A little soap suds allows your fingers to slide easily over the scrotal sac, and detect any lumps or bumps as they slide.