The short answer
A testicular self-exam is a simple check you can do to notice lumps or changes in your testicles. Knowing what is normal for you makes changes easier to spot. There is no routine screening test recommended for men without symptoms or higher risk, so being aware of your own body matters. Report any lump, swelling, or change to a doctor.
A testicular self-exam means gently feeling your testicles to notice lumps or changes.
For men at average risk with no symptoms, expert groups do not recommend routine screening; awareness is the main tool.
The best time to check is during or after a warm shower, when the skin is relaxed.
A normal testicle is smooth, firm, and slightly movable; the soft cord behind it is normal too.
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The full explanation.
The simple version
A testicular self-exam is a quick, private check you can do to feel for lumps or changes in your testicles. It only takes a minute and does not require any tools.
The main goal is simple: learn what is normal for you. When you know your own body, a new lump or change is much easier to notice, and you can tell a doctor sooner.
Knowing your normal is the whole point of the exam.
Why awareness matters most here
For most cancers, doctors have routine screening tests for people without symptoms. Testicular cancer is different. For men who have no symptoms and are not at higher risk, expert groups do not recommend a routine screening test.
That makes personal awareness especially useful. Testicular cancer is not common, and when found early it is often very treatable. Most lumps and changes turn out not to be cancer at all. Still, knowing your body and reporting changes is the best everyday tool you have.
Because there is no routine test, your own awareness does the work.
How to check, step by step
The best time is during or right after a warm shower or bath, when the skin of the scrotum is relaxed and loose.
- Hold your scrotum in the palms of your hands and get a feel for its usual size and weight.
- Check one testicle at a time. Roll it gently between your thumb (on top) and your fingers (underneath).
- Feel the whole surface. It should feel smooth and firm.
- Behind and above the testicle, you may feel a soft, rope-like cord. This is a normal part called the epididymis, not a lump.
- Repeat on the other side.
Be gentle. This should not hurt. If pressing causes pain, stop and mention it to your doctor.
Do it slowly and gently; you are getting to know your body, not testing yourself.
What is normal
It helps to know what you are feeling.
- A normal testicle is smooth, firm, and shaped a bit like an egg.
- It moves a little within the scrotum.
- It is common for one side to be slightly larger or to hang a little lower.
- The soft cord you feel behind each testicle is normal.
None of these things are a cause for worry. What matters is a change from your usual.
When to tell a doctor
Reach out to a doctor if you notice any of the following:
- A lump or hard spot on a testicle
- Swelling, or a change in size or shape
- A feeling of heaviness in the scrotum
- A dull ache in the lower belly, groin, or scrotum
- Pain or tenderness
Most of the time, these turn out to be something other than cancer, such as a harmless cyst or an infection. But only a doctor can tell for sure, sometimes using an ultrasound and other tests. There is no harm in getting checked, and catching a change early is always worthwhile.
A new lump or change is worth a call, even if you feel fine otherwise.
When to get help sooner
- Call 911 or go to an emergency department if one testicle suddenly becomes severely painful, especially with swelling on that side and feeling sick or vomiting. That combination can mean testicular torsion, where the blood supply twists shut. Surgery within a few hours saves the testicle, so this is not something to sleep on.
- Call your care team the same day if the scrotum turns red, hot, or very tender, if pain builds steadily over a few hours, or if you have scrotal pain along with a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher.
- Call your care team within a day or two if you find a new lump or hard spot, one testicle changes size or shape, or a dull ache or heavy feeling in the groin has stuck around for more than a week.
Words to know
Tap any term to see what it means.
Common questions
How often should I check?
There is no strict rule. Many people check about once a month. The goal is to know what is normal for you so you can notice a change. Even checking now and then is better than never.
What does a normal testicle feel like?
It should feel smooth, firm, and a bit like a hard-boiled egg without the shell. It moves a little within the scrotum. Behind and above each testicle you may feel a soft, rope-like cord, which is normal.
Is it normal for one testicle to be bigger or lower?
Yes. It is common for one testicle to be slightly larger or to hang a little lower than the other. What matters is noticing a change from your usual, not comparing to anyone else.
What should make me call a doctor?
Call your doctor if you feel a lump or hard spot, notice swelling or a change in size, feel heaviness or a dull ache in the scrotum or lower belly, or have any pain. Most changes are not cancer, but a doctor should check them.
Is there a blood test or scan to screen for testicular cancer?
For men without symptoms or higher risk, there is no routine screening test recommended. Being aware of your own body and reporting changes is the main way problems are found early. If you have a lump, a doctor may use an ultrasound and other tests.
Who is at higher risk for testicular cancer?
Risk is higher for men who had an undescended testicle, have a family history of testicular cancer, or had testicular cancer before. Talk with your doctor if any of these apply to you.
Questions to ask your doctor
Being prepared helps you get the most out of your appointments. Save or print these questions.
Tap a question to save it to your list (kept on this device).
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Last updated: 2026-08-11Next planned review: 2027-01-04
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How this page was created
Cancer Explained does not originate medical claims. Every page restates guidance already published by the National Cancer Institute, the CDC, the USPSTF and the FDA, in plain language, with the source cited so you can check the original yourself. AI does the translating and organizing; automated checks test claims, citations, clarity and safety before anything publishes. We do not employ clinicians and do not intend to — our work is translation and navigation, not clinical judgment. Nothing here is personal medical advice, and no page can account for your particular situation.
Editorial status: Source checked — This page was written with AI assistance and checked line by line against the sources listed on it. That confirms the sources support what the page says. It is not a medical review, and it does not confirm the page is complete or right for your situation.
Human medical review: not completed. Pages here are not signed off by a clinician before they publish. That is not an oversight we are quietly working around: we restate published guidance and cite it, so the authority belongs to the source rather than to us, and every page names where its claims come from — you can verify us instead of trusting us. Where a volunteer clinician has reviewed a page, their name and credentials appear on it; where no name appears, no clinician has checked it. We are glad to have reviewers and are recruiting them, and we do not hold pages back waiting for one. Use this site to understand your situation and to ask better questions of the people treating you.
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