Nicola Elliott
If there’s one thing men like to ignore more than their voicemails, it’s their own bodies — and testicular cancer is paying the price for it. A new nationwide study reveals that over a quarter of UK males (26 per cent) have never checked themselves for signs of testicular cancer, while another 15 % barely muster a once-a-year pat-down.
It gets worse. The research shows the cancer has risen by 24 per cent since the 1990s, yet the habit of checking hasn’t kept pace. Younger men — the very group most at risk — are the least likely to bother. Nearly half (46 %) of 18–24-year-olds admitted they’ve never checked themselves.
For a generation that can navigate three streaming platforms at once, this is a basic life skill still sitting in the “I’ll do it later” folder.
That’s especially alarming when you consider testicular cancer is the most common cancer in young men, particularly those moving through their early thirties. The older lads fare slightly better: among 25–34-year-olds, only 21 per cent said they’d never checked their testicles — not exactly a gold standard, but a start.
The survey also dug into what symptoms men actually recognise. Lumps are the best-known sign, with 77 per cent of respondents clocking them as a red flag. But the awareness tumbles from there: just 34 % recognised heaviness in the scrotum, while 33 per cent identified a difference in appearance between the testicles.
A surprising number mistook unrelated issues entirely — including sexual impotence (18 %) and discomfort in the penis (21 %) — for signals of testicular cancer.
The 5 Most Recognisable Symptoms of Testicular Cancer
- Lumps – 77%
- Enlargement of testicles – 58 per cent
- Pain or discomfort in testicles – 46%
- Heaviness in scrotum – 34%
- Difference in appearance between testicles – 33 per cent
To help men get their act together, Dr Rhianna McClymont, Lead GP at Livi, offered a simple, no-nonsense routine for checking yourself — the kind of thing every man should know as instinctively as where he left his wallet.
She advises: “The best time to check yourself is during, or after a warm bath or shower. This helps to relax the testicles and make them easier for you to examine.
Hold your testicle in your palm and gently examine each one with your thumb and forefinger.
You’re looking for any type of abnormality or difference in feel. Your testicles should feel smooth and firm, but not hard.
Make sure you check yourself regularly and if you notice any lumps or hardness in the testicles, get yourself checked by a medical professional as soon as possible.”
Dr McClymont adds: “Testicular cancer, like any form of cancer, can strike at any age, but it’s more common in younger people, so we recommend beginning checks in puberty.
“If you notice any lumps or differences in the feel of your testicles, then it’s important to speak to a doctor to get checked out immediately.
These symptoms are not a guarantee you have cancer, but they can be indicators, so it’s always vital to see a medical professional if you spot any signs.”
The message is clear: this is one job you can’t outsource. It takes seconds, it costs nothing, and it might just save your life.
For more information on spotting testicular cancer, visit: https://www.livi.co.uk/
