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Men’s health: how to check your testicles and recognise prostate cancer symptoms

By Dr Deepak Kumar, Macmillan GP

Person holding their groin with text reading “Got balls? Here’s how to check ’em”.

November is Men’s Health Awareness Month, an important opportunity to highlight cancers that affect men and people assigned male at birth, including testicular cancer and prostate cancer.

These cancers are often highly treatable, especially when detected early. However, embarrassment, uncertainty, or lack of awareness can delay diagnosis. Knowing how to check yourself and recognising symptoms can help you take control of your health and seek help promptly if needed.

Early detection saves lives.

Testicular cancer symptoms and why checking yourself matters

Testicular cancer develops in one of the testicles. It most commonly affects people aged between 15 and 49, but it can occur at any age.

Testicular cancer can affect:

  • men
  • transgender women
  • non-binary people
  • anyone assigned male at birth

The good news is that testicular cancer has one of the highest treatment success rates, particularly when diagnosed early.

Checking your testicles regularly helps you recognise what is normal for your body and identify any changes quickly.

How to check your testicles safely

The best time to check your testicles is during or after a warm bath or shower. Heat relaxes the scrotum, making it easier to feel any changes.

Follow these simple steps:

1. Use both hands
Gently hold your scrotum in both hands.

2. Check each testicle separately
Roll each testicle gently between your thumb and fingers.

3. Feel for changes
Your testicles should feel smooth and firm, without lumps.

It is normal for:

  • one testicle to be slightly larger than the other
  • one testicle to hang lower

What matters most is noticing changes.

Signs and symptoms of testicular cancer

Contact your GP if you notice:

  • a lump or swelling in a testicle
  • a change in size or shape
  • a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum
  • a dull ache in the scrotum or lower abdomen
  • discomfort or unusual sensations

These symptoms do not always mean cancer, but they should always be checked.

Do not delay seeking medical advice due to embarrassment.

Prostate cancer symptoms and when to seek help

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK. Risk increases with age, particularly after age 50.

The prostate is a small gland located below the bladder. It helps produce semen.

Prostate cancer may not cause symptoms in its early stages, but changes in urinary habits can be an early sign.

When to see a GP about cancer symptoms

Speak to your GP if you experience:

  • needing to urinate more often, especially at night
  • difficulty starting or stopping urination
  • weak urine flow
  • feeling that your bladder has not fully emptied
  • blood in urine or semen
  • discomfort when sitting

These symptoms are common and often caused by non-cancerous conditions, but medical assessment is important.

When to see a GP

Contact your GP if you notice:

  • a lump or change in your testicles
  • persistent testicular discomfort
  • urinary symptoms that are new or worsening
  • blood in your urine or semen
  • any unusual or unexplained changes

Your GP will assess your symptoms and arrange tests if needed.

GPs deal with these concerns regularly. There is no need to feel embarrassed.

Supporting men’s health awareness

Men’s Health Awareness Month and Movember aim to encourage open conversations about men’s health, including cancer awareness.

You can support men’s health by:

  • checking yourself regularly
  • attending health appointments
  • encouraging friends and family to seek help
  • talking openly about health concerns

Normalising these conversations helps reduce stigma and improves early detection.

Make self-checks part of your routine

Checking your testicles regularly only takes a few minutes and can help detect changes early.

Remember:

  • know what is normal for your body
  • check regularly
  • seek medical advice if you notice changes
  • early detection improves outcomes

Frequently asked questions about testicular and prostate cancer

You should check your testicles around once a month. Regular checks help you notice changes early.

A lump may feel small, firm, and painless. It can be the size of a pea or larger. Any new lump should be checked by a GP.

Yes. Testicular cancer is highly treatable, especially when detected early. Most people recover fully with treatment.

Testicular cancer most commonly affects people aged 15 to 49, but it can occur at any age.

Early symptoms may include:

  • frequent urination
  • difficulty urinating
  • weak urine flow
  • feeling that the bladder has not emptied fully

Speak to your GP if you notice symptoms.

Risk increases after age 50. Risk may be higher earlier if you have a family history or are from certain ethnic backgrounds.

Yes. Always see a GP if you notice a lump, swelling, or unusual pain. Most causes are not cancer, but assessment is important.

Yes. It is normal for one testicle to be slightly larger or hang lower than the other. What matters most is noticing changes.

Yes. Prostate cancer may not cause symptoms early on. This is why reporting any urinary changes promptly is important.

Contact your GP practice. Early assessment provides reassurance and ensures prompt treatment if needed.

Key message: early detection improves outcomes

Knowing your body and recognising changes can help detect cancer early, when treatment is most effective.

If you notice anything unusual, contact your GP. Seeking advice early can protect your long-term health.