The Complete Guide to Testicular Self-Exam: How to Check Your Testicles in 60 Seconds

By Mr Giangiacomo Ollandini, Men's Health Specialist in London and Milton Keynes

As we navigate April's Testicular Cancer Awareness Month, I'm sharing what I consider the most valuable habit for men's health — this complete testicular self-exam guide, designed to help you perform a 60-second monthly check with confidence and clarity. In my years guiding men through this practice at GGO Med clinics, I've witnessed remarkable stories of early detection that transformed potential health crises into straightforward treatment journeys.

How do I check for testicular cancer? In the shower, gently roll each testicle between your fingers, feeling for any firm lumps, swelling, or changes in shape. Do this monthly. If anything feels unusual, book an appointment with a specialist promptly using the contact details below.

Why Young Men Need Regular Testicular Self-Exams

The biology of testicular cancer presents a fascinating paradox that surprises many of my patients: while most cancers target aging cells, testicular cancer predominantly affects men between 15-35 years old. Think of your reproductive system as having a unique vulnerability precisely when the rest of your body operates at maximum efficiency!

For university students, young professionals, new fathers, and athletes, learning how to perform a testicular self-exam isn't just recommended – it's essential for early detection. When caught early through regular self check testes routines, testicular cancer boasts a remarkable cure rate exceeding 95% (Source: Cancer Research UK).

When to Perform Your Testicular Self-Exam

Timing matters significantly for effective testicular screening. The ideal moment is during or immediately after a warm shower, when your scrotal skin naturally relaxes – this thermal response creates optimal conditions for detecting any abnormalities. Males should perform monthly testicular self-exams, ideally on the same calendar day each month to build consistency.

Step-by-Step Testicular Self-Exam Guide: How to Check Your Testicles at Home

Let me walk you through exactly how to do a self testicular exam:

1. STEP 1: Create the Right Environment

   Stand comfortably in a warm shower where examining testicles becomes easier. The NHS recommends monthly checks – consistency is key for effective testicular cancer screening.

2. STEP 2: Understand Normal Testicular Anatomy

   Before you check testicles for cancer, understand how healthy testes feel – typically smooth, firm oval glands approximately 4-5cm in length. I often tell my patients to imagine hard-boiled eggs without shells! This comparative framework helps you establish your normal baseline.

3. STEP 3: Master the Self Check Technique

   • Gently move your penis aside to access your scrotum.
   • Cup one testicle using both hands.
   • With gentle pressure, roll the testicular tissue between thumbs and fingers.
   • Methodically feel the entire surface area – front, sides, back.
   • Repeat on the other side.

   The key to a proper male testicular self exam is using just enough pressure to detect changes without causing discomfort. Self check testes monthly, and you'll develop an intuitive sense of your normal anatomy.

4. STEP 4: Know What You're Feeling During Testes Examination

   During your testicular cancer self exam, you'll encounter several distinct structures which are normal:

   • The Testicles: The main testicular tissue should feel smooth and uniformly firm throughout. When self checking testicles, pay particular attention to the front and sides, where concerning lumps typically develop first.
   • The Epididymis: Located at the back and slightly upper portion of each testicle, this normal structure feels softer and somewhat like a collection of tubes or slightly bumpy. Many men initially mistake this for a problem during their monthly testicular self-exam. Learning to identify it is important.
   • The Spermatic Cord: Extending upward from the top of each testicle, this cord-like structure contains blood vessels, nerves, and the vas deferens. It feels firm but flexible.

   During your self exam for testicular cancer, be alert for small, hard, usually painless lumps (often described as pea-sized) that feel distinctly different from the surrounding smooth testicular tissue.

What to Look For During Your Testicular Self Exam (Normal vs Abnormal)

During your monthly self check routine, remain vigilant for these potential indicators that warrant medical attention:

• A firm, hard nodule or lump within the main body of the testicle (often painless).
• Any change in the size or shape of one testicle compared to the other or compared to previous exams.
• Swelling of the scrotum.
• An unusual feeling of heaviness in the scrotum.
• A dull ache or pain in the lower abdomen, groin, or scrotum.
• Persistent tenderness or pain in one testicle (although cancer is often painless).
• Any textural changes on the surface of the testicle that weren't previously present.
• A collection of fluid in the scrotum (hydrocele).

It's crucial to distinguish these potential abnormalities from the normal structures like the epididymis. If you feel anything firm, new, or different directly on or within the testicle itself, it needs checking.

Tips for Effective Self-Exams

Knowing how and when to perform testicular self exam effectively comes down to creating consistent habits:

• Consistency is Key: Perform the check monthly, ideally on the same date (e.g., the 1st of the month).
• Use Reminders: Set a calendar notification or smartphone reminder.
• Best Time: During or after a warm shower when the scrotum is relaxed.
• Know Your Normal: The first few times are about learning what your testicles normally feel like, including the epididymis.
• Don't Panic, Do Act: If you find something unusual, don't ignore it out of fear. Book an appointment promptly for evaluation. Most lumps are not cancer, but checking is vital.
• Professional Support: If you are unsure how to perform the exam correctly or have any concerns, ask your doctor or a specialist urologist to demonstrate or check for you.

This simple 60-second monthly ritual represents one of medicine's most effective preventative practices – a partnership between your awareness and medical expertise that dramatically improves outcomes for testicular cancer.

Take control of your reproductive health today. Your future self will thank you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a normal testicle feel like?

Normal testicles feel smooth, firm (but not rock-hard), and somewhat oval-shaped, often compared to a hard-boiled egg without the shell. They should be free of hard lumps or irregularities on their surface. It's normal to feel the epididymis, which is a softer, slightly lumpy, tube-like structure attached to the back of each testicle.

When should I be worried about testicular pain?

Any sudden, severe pain in the testicle requires immediate medical attention (e.g., A&E) to rule out conditions like testicular torsion. Persistent discomfort, a dull ache, or new-onset tenderness that lasts more than a few days should be evaluated by a doctor. Remember that testicular cancer often presents without pain, which is why regular self-exams focusing on lumps and changes are crucial, regardless of pain.

Can testicular cancer be cured if caught early?

Absolutely! Early-stage testicular cancer (cancer confined to the testicle) has cure rates exceeding 95%, making it one of the most treatable solid cancers when detected promptly. This remarkably high success rate is a key reason why promoting awareness and regular testicular cancer screening through self-examination is so important (Source: Cancer Research UK).

Should my partner help with the exam?

Partner involvement can be beneficial. They might notice subtle changes you miss, and it can increase compliance with monthly checks. However, it's vital that you learn to perform the self-examination confidently yourself, ensuring you can conduct checks consistently regardless of your relationship status or circumstances.

What if one testicle hangs lower or is slightly larger?

It is very common and perfectly normal for one testicle (usually the left) to hang slightly lower than the other. It's also common for one testicle to be slightly larger than the other. What matters during a self-exam is noticing any changes from your personal baseline size, shape, or feel.

Is it normal to feel veins?

Yes, you will feel blood vessels within the spermatic cord running above the testicle. Sometimes, a collection of enlarged veins, known as a varicocele (often described as feeling like a 'bag of worms'), can occur, typically above the left testicle. While usually harmless, if large or causing discomfort, it can be assessed by a urologist. This feels different from a hard lump within the testicle itself.

Expert Men's Health Care

Mr Giangiacomo Ollandini is a men's health specialist based at Chelsea & Westminster Hospital (Private Care), Nuffield Health Highgate Hospital in London, and The Saxon Clinic in Milton Keynes. For appointments or if you have concerns after performing a self-exam or about how to perform self exam for testicular cancer correctly, please get in touch.

Phone: 01908 014478

References & Further Information

• Cancer Research UK: Testicular Cancer Statistics. [Online] Available at: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/statistics-by-cancer-type/testicular-cancer
• American Cancer Society: Can Testicular Cancer Be Found Early? [Online] Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/testicular-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/detection.html
• British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS): Patient Information. [Online] Available at: https://www.baus.org.uk/patients/information_leaflets/ (Provides various urology-related patient leaflets).