From the Guidelines
No, teenage boys should not perform regular testicular self-examinations as the current evidence suggests it has no net benefit in detecting testicular cancer. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) reaffirmed its recommendation against screening adolescent or adult males for testicular cancer by clinician examination or patient self-examination, citing moderate certainty that screening has no net benefit 1. This recommendation is based on the low incidence and high survival rate of testicular cancer, even when it is detected at symptomatic stages.
Some key points to consider:
- The sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of testicular examination in asymptomatic patients are unknown 1.
- Screening examinations performed by patients or clinicians are unlikely to provide meaningful health benefits due to the low incidence and high survival rate of testicular cancer 1.
- Management of testicular cancer consists of orchiectomy and may include other surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, depending on the disease stage and tumor type, with more than 90% of all newly diagnosed cases being cured, regardless of disease stage 1.
Given the lack of evidence supporting the benefits of regular testicular self-examinations, it is not recommended for teenage boys to perform this practice. Instead, boys should be encouraged to seek medical attention if they notice any changes or abnormalities in their testicles, such as lumps, pain, swelling, or heaviness. This approach prioritizes their health and well-being while avoiding unnecessary screening practices that have not been shown to improve outcomes 1.
From the Research
Testicular Self-Examination among Teenage Boys
- The importance of testicular self-examination (TSE) for early detection of testicular cancer is highlighted in several studies 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- However, the practice of regular TSE among teenage boys is relatively low, with studies showing that only a small minority of young men perform TSE regularly 3, 4, 6.
- A study published in the World Journal of Urology in 2023 suggests that TSE can help in early detection and potentially improve treatment outcomes and prognosis for testicular cancer 2.
- Another study published in Preventive Medicine in 1994 found that 87% of men reported never having practiced TSE, and regular practice was reported by only 3% of the sample 3.
- A study published in the Journal of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene in 2013 found that nearly all (98.7%) male students had never heard of TSE and had hardly practiced TSE 4.
- A systematic review published in HRB Open Research in 2018 found that innovative educational interventions can increase men's awareness of testicular disorders and self-examination, and promote help-seeking behaviors 5.
- A study published in Military Medicine in 1993 found that physicians should encourage their young male patients to practice TSE, and that TSE was practiced most frequently among soldiers who had received instruction in the technique 6.
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices
- The level of knowledge, practice, and rating of the importance of TSE are all very low among adolescent secondary school boys, suggesting that these students are unaware of the value of this personal health surveillance tool 4.
- Attitudes toward TSE among men were found to be a significant predictor of TSE practice, with men who rated TSE as important being more likely to practice it regularly 3.
- The majority of reviewed interventions were successful in increasing men's awareness of testicular cancer and self-examination, including educational programs and instructional materials 5.