Tell your patients to touch themselves to prevent this type of cancer
Key Takeaways
Industry Buzz
"The self-examination is very important, and that's what we really want to stress. Once a month, men should examine their testes, roll them between the fingers, especially while taking a hot shower when the scrotum is nice and relaxed and you can feel the contents." — Reaud Gafoor, MD, urologist
Screenings and exams can be important for diagnosing and treating various types of cancers.
But while the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that doctors screen patients for certain types of cancer, it does not recommend medical screenings for all cancers and, in some cases, advises against screening. []
When it comes to testicular cancer, for instance, the USPSTF advises against screening in asymptomatic men.
Related: 3 surprising celebs who’ve been affected by testicular cancerThe task force says with “moderate certainty” that screening for testicular cancer offers no “net benefit,” and that “most cases of testicular cancer are discovered accidentally by patients or their partners.” [] The task force recommends against self-examination for the same reason.
The importance of self-exams
Some doctors, however, encourage patients with testicles to perform self-exams to check for testicular cancer once a month—similar to recommendations for breast exams—typically following puberty. []
The American Cancer Society (ACS), which does not recommend or advise against testicular cancer self-exams in all patients, recommends that patients be “aware of testicular cancer” and seek medical attention if they find a lump in a testicle.
How to perform a self-exam
The ACS also provides people with information on how to check their testicles for cancerous lumps, should they choose to perform a self-exam.
To conduct a self-exam, patients should:
Move their penis out of the way to examine each testicle separately.
Roll the testicle between their thumbs and fingers with both hands.
Look and feel for lumps or nodules and take note of any changes in the size, shape, or consistency of the testicles.
How to talk to patients about seeking treatment
If a patient find a lump in a testicle—whether accidentally or during a self-exam—it's important they promptly seek medical attention.
Concerningly, some reports have found that nearly 40% of patients with testicular swellings wait to see their doctor until they felt the “issue was serious” or experienced other symptoms. []
You may want to remind patients of the urgency of seeking care, particularly if your patient is between the ages of 20 and 34—the age range at which about half of testicular cancers occur, according to the ACS. []
While everyone is different, some young adults within this age range may be engaged in intensive college or graduate school programs or in the beginning stages of a demanding career, which could influence delays in visits to the doctor.
Delayed treatment could allow cancer to spread further into the body or lymphatic system, whereas early treatment could reduce these risks.
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