Balls. Nuts. Sack. While there are plenty of nicknames for our hormone-and sperm-producing sex organs, how many guys actually know anything about testicle health? For instance, did you know that testicular cancer is the most common cancer in men younger than age 35? Or that about half of all testicular cancer cases are in men between the ages of 20 and 34? That ought to make your jockstrap flinch.
The good news is that testicular cancer, while rare, is entirely treatable if caught early. That’s where regular testicular self-exams come in. Because most testicular cancer growths are painless, self-exams are critical to catching potential problems early on.
How to check yourself for testicular cancer
Step 1: Know thy nuts
One size fits all does not apply to testicles, which can range from grape-sized to small egg-sized, and one is usually slightly larger than the other. At the back of each testicle is a coiled tube called the epididymis, which stores sperm. The rest of the plumbing is called the Vas deferens, which connects sperm to the rest of the unit.
Step 2: Pre-game warm up
If you’ve just taken a plunge in a cold lake, it’s not the ideal time to do a testicular exam. Instead, aim for after a shower or bath when your scrotum is relaxed.
Step 3: Hands on the ball(s)
Stand in front of a mirror and check for swelling on the scrotal skin. Feel the testicles and check them for lumps, swelling, shrinking, and other signs of a problem. Roll each testicle gently between your thumb and index/middle fingers from top to bottom, feeling for unusual lumps or texture. It’s not going to feel completely smooth, so don’t panic. But if you feel a pea-sized lump, get it double-checked by a doctor.
At what age can you get testicular cancer?
The Canadian Cancer Society recommends that by the time guys are 15, they should be well acquainted with their ball sacks. That way, you will be able to tell if there is any change to how they look or feel. Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in men 15-29 years of age. However, men of any age can get testicular cancer. So keep checking no matter what your age is.
Risk factors
There are known risk factors for testicular cancer, such as family history, undescended testicles, and a tall adult height. For the full list, check out the Canadian Cancer Society.
Ball Checker app
Need some help remembering to check-in on your balls every month? There’s an app for that! You can download the Ball Checker App for both iOS and Android.
By giving your gonads a monthly once-over, you can ensure there are no lumps, bumps, or swelling to worry about.
Have you tried the Ball Checker App or have other ways to remember to do a self check every month? Tell us about it in the comments below.
To perform a testicular self-examination, grasp and roll the testicle between your thumbs and forefingers, feeling for lumps, swelling, hardness or other changes.
A testicular self-exam is an inspection of the appearance and feel of your testicles. You can do a testicular exam yourself, typically standing in front of a mirror.
Routine testicular self-exams can give you a greater awareness of the condition of your testicles and help you detect changes. Self-exams can also alert you to potential testicular problems.
If you detect lumps or other changes during a testicular self-exam, make an appointment with your doctor.
Products & Services
- Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Sign up for Email: Get Your Free Resource – Coping with Cancer
Why it's done
Testicular self-exams help you learn how your testicles normally look and feel. Then you're more likely to notice subtle changes.
Changes in your testicles could be a sign of a common benign condition, such as an infection or a cyst, or a less common condition, such as testicular cancer.
Who should consider regular testicular exams?
It's not clear who should consider regular testicular self-exams. Though often promoted as a way to detect testicular cancer, testicular self-exams aren't proved to reduce the risk of dying of the disease.
Testicular cancer is a relatively uncommon type of cancer. It's also highly treatable at all stages, so finding testicular cancer early doesn't make a cure more likely.
Doctors and medical organizations differ on their recommendations for testicular self-exams. If you're concerned about your risk of testicular cancer, discuss the issue with your doctor. Together, you can decide whether regular testicular self-exams are right for you.
Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic
Risks
Performing a testicular self-exam doesn't pose any direct risks. However, if you notice something unusual that concerns you, the follow-up exams might lead to unnecessary worry and medical tests.
For example, if you discover a suspicious lump, you might have tests to determine its cause. This could involve blood tests, ultrasound exams or a procedure to remove testicle tissue for examination (biopsy). If the lump is noncancerous (benign), you might feel that you've undergone an unnecessary invasive procedure.
How you prepare
No special preparation is necessary to do a testicular self-exam.
You might find a testicular self-exam is easier during or after a warm bath or shower. Heat relaxes the scrotum, making it easier for you to check for anything unusual.
What you can expect
To do a testicular self-exam, stand unclothed in front of a mirror. Then:
- Look for swelling. Hold your penis out of the way and examine the skin of the scrotum.
- Examine each testicle. Using 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 any changes to your testicle. These could include hard lumps, smooth rounded bumps, or new changes in the size, shape or consistency of the testicle.
While you're doing the testicular self-exam, you might notice a few things about your testicles, such as bumps on the skin of your scrotum, that seem unusual but aren't signs of cancer. Ingrown hairs, a rash or other skin problems can cause bumps on the skin.
You might also feel a soft, ropy cord, which is a normal part of the scrotum called the epididymis. It leads upward from the top of the back part of each testicle.
Results
Make an appointment with your doctor if you find a lump or other change during a testicular self-exam. Depending on the circumstances, your doctor might do a testicular exam followed by a blood test, ultrasound or biopsy.
Most changes in your testicles aren't caused by testicular cancer. A number of noncancerous conditions can cause changes in your testicles, such as a cyst, injury, infection, hernia and collection of fluid around the testicles (hydrocele).
By Mayo Clinic Staff
Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic
Dec. 07, 2022
Share on: FacebookTwitter
Show references
- Lin KW. Screening for testicular cancer. //www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Dec. 5, 2020.
- Testicular cancer screening (PDQ) — Health professional version. National Cancer Institute. //www.cancer.gov/types/testicular/hp/testicular-screening-pdq. Accessed Dec. 5, 2020.
- Can testicular cancer be found early? American Cancer Society. //www.cancer.org/cancer/testicular-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/detection.html. Accessed Dec. 5, 2020.
- Final evidence review. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. //www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/document/final-evidence-review96/testicular-cancer-screening. Accessed Dec. 5, 2020.
Related
Products & Services
- Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Sign up for Email: Get Your Free Resource – Coping with Cancer
Testicular exam
- About
Advertisement
Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.