Ask a young man why testicular exams are needed, and chances are, he won't know. According to a study published in the Sept. issue of the Journal of Urology , young men are drastically unaware that testicular exams are necessary. Further, note the authors of this survey, national guidelines offer very little guidance for male self-health care.
Young males are grossly unaware of many aspects of their self-health.
They surveyed over 300 male athletes aged 12 to 18 years with a five-item anonymous survey given before a sports physical exam. Correct answers included hernias, testicular abnormalities, tumors, or cancer. Correct responses included athletic supporter or cup, and had to be appropriate for the sport the boys played. Almost half of the boys did not wear the appropriate protection, and a quarter wore no protection when playing football and other collision sports. The remaining questions also pointed out either the teens' ignorance or misunderstanding of potential problems, and their vulnerability to problems.