How to Examine the Testicles"I never examined myself." Pennsylvania resident Glenn Knies, 34, says he wasn't consciously looking for possible cancer 11 years ago. He calls it "pure luck" that he noticed an abnormality in the shower and sought medical attention. Now a survivor of testicular cancer, Knies strongly urges men to examine their testicles regularly. Medical professionals say men can greatly increase their chances of finding testicular tumors by testicular self-examination, or TSE. Locating a tumor this way can boost the odds of early intervention and total cure. "Diagnosis of testicular cancer usually starts with self-discovery," says S. Bruce Malkowicz, co-director of urologic oncology at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center. He advises men of all ages to do TSEs, not just those in the prime risk group of ages 15 to 34. ![[diagram of testicular self-examination]](selfex.gif) TSE is best performed after a warm bath or shower. Heat relaxes the scrotum, making it easier to spot anything abnormal. The National Cancer Institute recommends following these steps every month:
- Stand in front of a mirror. Check for any swelling on the scrotum skin.
- Examine each testicle with both hands. Place the index and middle fingers under the testicle with the thumbs placed on top. Roll the testicle gently between the thumbs and fingers. Don't be alarmed if one testicle seems slightly larger than the other. That's normal.
- Find the epididymis, the soft, tubelike structure behind the testicle that collects and carries sperm. If you are familiar with this structure, you won't mistake it for a suspicious lump. Cancerous lumps usually are found on the sides of the testicle but can also show up on the front.
- If you find a lump, see a doctor right away. The abnormality may not be cancer, but if it is, the chances are great it can spread if not stopped by treatment. Only a physician can make a positive diagnosis.
Knies says fear shouldn't keep men from doing the TSE. "And men need not feel self-conscious about touching themselves there. It only takes a few seconds for them to tell if everything's fine. If they find something, they shouldn't be afraid to say something. Wishing it away isn't going to make it go away." |