Who should do a testicular self-exam?
Regular self-exams are recommended for men who have a higher risk for testicular cancer. The risk factors are: a testicle that did not move down into the scrotum before birth (undescended testicle) a history of cancer in one of the testicles a family history of testicular cancer abnormal development of the testicles, penis, or kidneys. It has not yet been shown that regular testicular self-exams lower the death rate of testicular cancer. But some healthcare providers recommend doing a self-exam once a month, starting when you are in your teens. This is because even though testicular cancer is uncommon, it occurs most often in young men and can spread quickly. There are other reasons to check the testicles. Becoming comfortable with checking the genital area can help with personal hygiene. It can help you find signs of sexually transmitted infection, such as genital warts and herpes, which you might not notice otherwise.
