Self-Checks

[timjalex]

How often should testicular checks be done and are the apres-bath self checks always sufficient?

[Robert Cornes]

Ideally men should check themselves monthly. This allows them to get to know what is normal for them (one testicle may be bigger or hang slightly lower than the other, the surface of each testicle should be smooth with the epididymis or sperm collection tube running behind the testicle and attached to the top https://orchid-cancer.org.uk/testicular-cancer/). The key factor is to recognise any potential abnormalities and to get them checked out as soon as possible by a GP.
A warm bath will help relax the testicular anatomy and make it more comfortable to perform self examination however it can be done at any time.

[Dr Jon Rees]

Hi

I would disagree. No study has ever shown a benefit from testicular self-examination in terms of improving testicular cancer outcomes (http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-c ... for-cancer). Testicular cancer is rare, and the vast majority of men I see with scrotal lumps are absolutely fine and have benign problems like epididymal cysts, hydroceles, varicoceles etc.

I would encourage testicular awareness, rather than a programme of regular self-examination. In reality, most men spend enough time with their hands down their trousers to opportunistically spot when a new lump appears - the key message is that if you find a new lump, ask your doctor to check it out. And try to remember that the lump you have found is highly unlikely to be a testicular cancer - there are only just over 2000 cases of testicular cancer per year in the UK, and only 60 deaths per year (http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health- ... lar-cancer) so we can almost always reassure the men who we see in primary care that everything is ok. If in any doubt, we would arrange a testicular ultrasound to be certain.