Quick version
Regularly examining your testicles can help you detect testicular cancer early, a disease with a good prognosis if treated early.
- Do a self-examination once a month – after a warm bath or shower.
- Feel for lumps or bumps – the testicles should be smooth and firm.
- Pay attention to changes in size – a sudden increase or decrease should be checked.
- Watch out for pain, heaviness or swelling – symptoms that may indicate disease.
- If in doubt, seek medical attention – doctors can do an ultrasound and blood tests (AFP, beta-hCG, LDH) for further investigation.
It only takes a few minutes to check your testicles – but it could save your life. Do you notice anything unusual? Contact a doctor for an assessment.
How to Examine Your Testicles – Step by Step
Performing a self-exam is easy, painless, and only takes a few minutes. It’s an effective way to detect any changes early that could be signs of testicular cancer or other conditions affecting the testicles. The best time to examine your testicles is after a warm bath or shower. The skin in your scrotum is soft and relaxed, making it easier to feel for any lumps or changes in size and consistency. By being consistent, you’ll learn what your testicles normally feel like, making it easier to spot any abnormalities early.
How to check your testicles
- Use both hands: Hold one testicle at a time between your thumb and fingers and roll it gently.
- Feel for lumps or bumps: The testicles should be smooth and firm, but not hard. Small lumps or changes can be warning signs.
- Compare your testicles: It is normal for them to differ slightly in size, but a sudden change should be investigated.
- Check the epididymis: This soft structure behind the testicle may feel spongy – and that is completely normal.
- Watch out for pain or heaviness: A feeling of discomfort, tenderness or heaviness in the scrotum can be a symptom to take seriously.
If you notice anything unusual, such as a lump, change in size or persistent pain – contact a doctor in the first instance for a dialogue.
Abnormalities to watch out for
It is important to recognise what is normal for you, but also to know which changes may be signs of illness. Here are some abnormalities that should be checked by a doctor:
- Lumps or Hardnesses: A small, painless lump in the testicle may be the first sign of testicular cancer. All lumps should be examined.
- Change in size or shape: If a testicle suddenly becomes larger, harder, or has an irregular shape, it may be a warning sign.
- Heaviness in the scrotum: A diffuse feeling of heaviness or swelling may be an early symptom of testicular cancer.
- Tenderness or pain: Persistent pain in a testicle, scrotum, or groin may be a sign of infection or other disease.
- Fluid accumulation in the scrotum: Sudden swelling without an obvious cause can be due to various conditions, including testicular cancer.
- Enlarged breasts (gynecomastia): Some testicular tumors can produce hormones that cause breast enlargement.
Blood tests for suspected testicular cancer
When a suspected tumor is used a combination of primarily ultrasound, but blood tests can also be performed as part of the investigation.
Tumor markers in testicular cancer
- AFP Alpha-1-Fetoprotein: Elevated in non-seminomas, but not in pure seminomas. A high AFP value indicates that the tumor contains non-seminomatous cell types.
- Beta-hCG Human chorionic gonadotropin: May be elevated in both seminomas and non-seminomas. High levels of beta-hCG may signal a more aggressive disease. It is the same hormone analyzed in pregnancy tests in
- LDH Lactate dehydrogenase: A less specific marker that may be elevated in more advanced testicular cancer and reflects tumor burden.
If spread is suspected, MRI examinations can also be performed.
Why self-examination is important
By regularly feeling your testicles, you learn what is normal for you – which makes it easier to detect changes at an early stage. Early detection is crucial for quick and successful treatment.
Testicular cancer has a very good prognosis when detected early. Take control of your own health – it only takes a few minutes but can make all the difference.