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To do a testicular exam, stand unclothed in front of a mirror — preferably after a warm bath or shower. Heat relaxes the scrotum, making it easier for you to check for anything unusual. Then:
- Look for swelling. Hold your penis out of the way and examine the skin of the scrotum.
- Examine each testicle with both hands. Place your index and middle fingers under the testicle and your thumbs on top.
- Gently roll the testicle between your thumbs and fingers. Look and feel for hard lumps, smooth rounded bumps or any change in the size, shape or consistency of the testicle.
While you're doing the testicular exam, you may notice a few things about your testicles that seem unusual — but aren't signs of cancer. For example:
- One of your testicles is larger than the other. It's normal for one testicle to be slightly larger. It's only a cause for concern if there's a change in the size of one of your testicles.
- You have bumps on the skin of your scrotum. This can be caused by ingrown hairs, a rash or other skin problems.
- You feel a soft, ropy cord. This is a normal part of the scrotum called the epididymis. It leads upward from the top of the back part of each testicle.
- Moul JW. Timely diagnosis of testicular cancer. The Urologic Clinics of North America. 2007;24:109.
- Bohnenkamp S, et al. The medical-surgical nurse's guide to testicular cancer. Medsurg Nursing: The Official Journal of the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses. 2009;18:116.
- How to do a testicular self-examination. The Testicular Cancer Resource Center. http://tcrc.acor.org/tcexam.html. Accessed June 17, 2009.
- Testicular cancer: Questions and answers. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/sites-types/testicular. Accessed June 17, 2009.
- Do I have testicular cancer? American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_2_3X_Do_I_Have_Testicular_Cancer.asp. Accessed July 16, 2009.
- Shaw J. Diagnosis and treatment of testicular cancer. American Family Physician. 2008;77:469.
- Screening for testicular cancer: Recommendation statement. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/3rduspstf/testicular/testiculrs.pdf. Accessed July 16, 2009.
