At the end of the day, my priority is your health and well-being. Whether you're dealing with a complex urological issue or seeking advice on a sensitive matter, I am here to provide the expert care you need with the compassion and understanding you deserve.
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.
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).
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.
Let me walk you through exactly how to do a self testicular exam:
Use this visual testicular self-exam guide as a monthly reminder to stay on top of your reproductive health. It’s quick, clear, and could make all the difference.
During your monthly self check routine, remain vigilant for these potential indicators that warrant medical attention:
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.
Knowing how and when to perform testicular self exam effectively comes down to creating consistent habits:
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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
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