Self-examination of the Testicles

Because it is important

Although for many it is still taboo - in the sense that it is often wrongly considered a minor factor - testicular self-examination should be done by all men, about once a month after puberty.

Just as women have learned to become familiar with breast self-examination as an early diagnosis tool for breast cancer, men should also be educated and sensitized to self-examination of the testicles.

All the more so because, in clinical practice, space is rarely given to the examination of the testicles, especially since the compulsory military service was abolished, the preliminary visit of which was often the only occasion in which to pay attention to this aspect.

The incidence of testicular cancer in men is much lower than that of breast cancer in women. However, the testicles can also be affected by other types of diseases, such as varicocele, but also "orchitis or" epididymitis, which in the young are often associated with sexually transmitted diseases and which - if neglected - can undermine the future fertility of the child. man. Consider also that testicular cancer is more common between the ages of 20 and 40, so it is good to become familiar with self-examination from puberty. Particular attention should be paid to those at risk, such as those who have been affected by cryptorchidism or parotitic orchitis, those exposed to frequent testicular trauma (as occurs in certain combat sports, rugby or motor sports) and those who are familiar with illness.

How to perform self-examination of the testicles

• Stand in front of a mirror immediately after a hot bath: in this way the scrotal sac will be relaxed and the palpation of the testicles will be easier.
• Before moving on to self-examination, carry out a visual examination in the mirror, looking for any abnormal swelling (swelling) or varicosities (varicocele).
• The self-examination is carried out by touching each testicle with both hands, placing the index and middle fingers in the lower area and the thumb in the upper one. At this point, through a gentle rotational movement of the fingers, both testicles are explored, paying attention to the sensation given by the In fact, the maneuver should not cause any pain.
• A testicle larger than the other is considered - within certain limits - normal. Conversely, it is good to submit to medical attention the presence of any hard swellings of the testicle (even if painless) or, on the contrary, the net loss of volume of a testicle. A feeling of heaviness in the testicles should also be referred for medical attention.
• Consider that above and behind the testicle there is the epididymis, a soft structure entrusted with the task of selecting, transporting and enriching the spermatozoa. Its presence is therefore normal and it is only advisable to ascertain that it does not contain cysts (possible index seminoma).
• During self-examination of the testicles, attention should also be paid to the spermatic cord, looking for cysts or varicoceles; the latter are soft varicose dilations palpable along the cord above each testicle.