Testicular Carcinoma: A Study of Knowledge, Awareness, and Practice of Testicular Self-Examination in Male Soldiers and Military Physicians

Abstract

Multiple-choice questionnaires devised to evaluate knowledge and awareness of testicular carcinoma and the practice of testicular self-examination (TSE) were distributed to 717 male soldiers and 200 military physicians in the Israeli army. Twenty-one percent of the soldiers had received explanations about the importance of TSE; 16% actually received instruction on TSE; yet only 2% practiced TSE regularly. Seventy percent of physicians had been taught how to examine testicles, but only 10% of physicians examined testicles in their routine physical exams. TSE was practiced most frequently among soldiers who had received instruction in the technique. Physicians should encourage their young male patients to practice TSE.

Teaching Testicular Self-Examination: Education and Practices in Pediatric Residents

“…10 Thirty percent of male soldiers were aware of their risk of testicular cancer, 16% were taught TSE, and only 2% performed it regularly. 2 Soldiers were 7 times more likely to perform TSE when they were taught the technique. 2 Similar studies have found equally discouraging results.…”

“…2 Soldiers were 7 times more likely to perform TSE when they were taught the technique. 2 Similar studies have found equally discouraging results. 7,[11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26] Singer et al 2 reported that only 70% of the military physicians were ever taught how to examine testes, and 10% examined testes as part of a routine physical examination.…”

“…Physicians taught only half of the male patients who performed TSE how to do their TSE. 2,10 Adolescent and young male adults are ill informed regarding testicular cancer and performing TSE. Ninety percent of male college athletes were unaware of their risk of testicular cancer, 10% were ever taught TSE, and only 6% performed it regularly.…”

“…Increased physician training regarding TSE has been recommended. 2 Barriers to providing TSE training to patients may include a lack of physician/ nurse time and a lack of knowledge, skill, or comfort level in teaching TSE to patients. If barriers can be identified, then an educational intervention can be developed to attempt to overcome the barriers.…”

“…Sixty-two percent believed that TSE was the best method of early detection, 22% practiced TSE themselves, but only 16% of the physicians taught the importance of TSE to their patients. 2 Sayger et al 1 reported that 96% of physicians examine the testes during a routine physical examination, yet 18% teach TSE and 7% give out TSE patient handouts. The most common reasons for not teaching TSE were being unfamiliar with TSE technique or never having thought about teaching it (82%).…”