Finding testicular cancer early
Lots of people talk about checking themselves to try and spot cancer early. It’s good to be aware of what your body is normally like, so it’s easier to notice if anything changes.
Checking yourself for symptoms of cancer is different to cancer screening. Screening means testing people for early stages of a disease before they have any symptoms. There is no national screening programme for testicular cancer in the UK.
How do I check for testicular cancer?
You know your body best. If you notice anything that’s unusual for you, or won’t go away, make an appointment to speak to your doctor. Cancers are easier to treat when they are found early.
It's useful to know how your body normally looks and feels, and this includes your testicles. This makes it easier for you to notice any changes.
It’s a good idea to look at and feel your testicles every now and then. But there’s no need to worry about doing it regularly in a set way at a set time. There’s no good evidence to suggest that regularly self-checking any part of your body in a set way is helpful. It can actually do more harm than good, by picking up things which wouldn’t have gone on to cause you problems.
Check your testicles for:
- the size and weight
- any lumps or swellings
What to do if you think you are at risk of testicular cancer?
Talk to your GP if you think you are at higher than average risk of testicular cancer.
Your GP can talk to you about what you can do to find testicular cancer early. This includes checking your testicles for lumps and swellings, or any other changes.
