Testicular Examination and Testicular Self-Examination (TSE)

What To Think About

• Undescended testicles may be a risk factor for testicular cancer. Parents should check their children or have them checked by a health professional to be sure that both testicles have descended properly before puberty.
• Expert recommendations on testicular examinations:
  • The American Cancer Society recommends that all men between the ages of 15 and 40 have a testicular examination as part of a regular physical examination by their health professional. But ACS does not recommend regular self-examinations for men who do not have risk factors for testicular cancer.¹.
  • The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends against routine screening for testicular cancer in teen and adult men who have no symptoms of cancer. The USPSTF recommends that men who have an increased risk of developing testicular cancer talk to their health professional about regular screening.²

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Author:	Bets Davis, MFA	Last Updated: February 3, 2009
Medical Review:	E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Christopher G. Wood, MD, FACS - Urology/Oncology
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