From Dr. Le Provost, Men’s Health Center of Phoenix
Testicular cancer. Testicular cancer is real and affects thousands of men every year. However, you hardly ever hear men talk about it.
This silence is the problem.
Even today, discussions of sexual health, and especially male genital health, are considered taboo. Young men often feel embarrassed, unsure, or simply uninformed. But testicular cancer is more common in younger men, often between the ages of 15-35, when most are otherwise perfectly healthy and unlikely to see a doctor regularly.
Because of this, the person most likely to catch testicular cancer early is you.
And that starts with knowing what your testicles normally look and feel like.
Below is a simple, step-by-step guide to performing a testicular self-exam, along with other ways we screen for this cancer at our clinic.
Why self-examinations matter
Testicular cancer usually starts subtly. A small piece. A slight change in size. A new heaviness or discomfort.
But you’ll only notice these changes if you’re familiar with what “normal” feels like.
Most young men:
- Do not see a doctor regularly
- Let’s say they are invincible
- They feel uncomfortable talking about anything involving their genitals
- I’m not sure what normal anatomy is versus something to worry about
This is why self-exams are so important, especially for teenagers and young adults.
Self-examination Step 1: Choose the right environment
Always do the test when your scrotum is relaxed—usually in a warm environment.
A warm shower or warm room is ideal because the heat allows the scrotum to hang lower, making each testicle easier to feel.
This is actually by design: your testicles sit outside the body so they stay a few degrees coolerwhich is essential for healthy sperm and testosterone production.
Self-examination Step 2: Examine one testicle at a time
Using both hands, gently roll each testicle between your thumb and fingers.
Check for:
- Smoothness
- Consistent texture
- A generally oval/egg shape
- No unusual bumps or hard spots
It should feel smooth — not lumpy, not bumpy.
Self-examination Step 3: Learn what normal anatomy looks like
Many young men mistake normal structures for abnormalities simply because they have never been taught what is supposed to exist.
Here’s what you must touch:
1. The Epididymis
This is a soft, coiled structure at the back/bottom of the testicle.
Stores and transports sperm.
Of normal to feel slightly lumpy or streaky.
2. The Vas Deferens
This is the tube that carries sperm up into the body.
It feels like a thin, firm string.
If you don’t know these structures exist, they can confuse you.
Once you know what is normal, it becomes much easier to spot what is not.
Self-examination Step 4: Repeat regularly
You don’t need to do a self-examination every day.
But you should:
- Once a month, or
- Every few months or
- At least, often enough to know your baseline
Familiarity is the goal.
When something is different, you will notice.
If you ever feel:
- A new track
- Hard area
- Change in size
- Feeling of weight
- Pain that wasn’t there before
Call your doctor immediately. Early detection makes a life-changing difference.
What if you notice something?
At Men’s Health Center of Phoenix, you will:
- Take a professional exam
- Use one orchidometer (a tool that measures the size of the testicles)
- Order an ultrasound if needed
- Have blood drawn to look for markers of cancer or inflammation
These are simple, painless steps—but they provide powerful information.
Blood tests for testicular cancer
Today we have a revolutionary blood test that examines 50+ cancersincluding testicular cancer. We usually recommend it for:
- Men 50+
- Younger men with a family history of cancer
- Anyone who wants deeper peace
As cancer becomes more common at all ages, early screening is one of the most powerful tools you have.
Final thoughts: Take ownership of your health
Self-exams aren’t uncomfortable—they’re responsible.
At the Phoenix Men’s Health Center, we’ve worked with thousands of men over the past 14 years, helping them navigate everything from hormones to heart health to sexual wellness. We’re here to make those conversations normal, comfortable, and empowering.
Your masculinity is something to be proud of.
Taking care of your health is part of that pride.
If you ever have questions—or if something doesn’t feel right—please contact us.
We are here for you.
Let’s live the best life possible, together.
