Balls are another way to say testicles. They are located behind your penis or cock.

Doing testicular self exams is easy. It helps you learn what your body normally feels like. That way if something changes or feels strange you can catch it early and let get it checked out by a doctor.

Testicular cancer is most common for men between the ages of 15 and 35. When it’s caught early it’s curable. So it’s important to know your body.

Here is how to do a testicular self-exam:

Firstly, set a regular day once a month to do your self exam. For example, every first of the month since it’s easy to remember (January 1 st, February 1 st, March 1 st, April 1 st…)

Do your self-exam while you take a warm bath or shower, or just as you get out the bathtub so you are still warm.

For the first couple of times, just feel around and get used to what your body normally feels like. That way you can notice any changes that might happen later.

For most guys the left half of their scrotum (the skin that holds your balls, sometimes called a ball sac) is lower than the right, that’s normal.

Do one side of your body at a time:

Hold your scrotum and feel your left testicle by rolling it between your thumb and fingers. Check for lumps, enlargements (bigger then before) or any areas that are softer or firmer that were not there before.

Next, check the epididymis, which is a comma-shaped organ which starts at the top of your testicle and ends behind it. It’s normally soft and tender when it is pressed.

Now find the spermatic cord . It comes up from the epididymis . It normally feels like a firm, smooth and moveable tube.

Now do it again on your right side.

If you find anything that feels unusual or weird make an appointment to see your doctor and get them to check it out. If you don’t have a family doctor you feel comfortable with then call Planned Parenthood Toronto’s Health Services to see a doctor there. Most lumps are not cancerous, but a doctor can tell you for sure. Finding cancerous lumps early means you have a better chance of getting rid of the cancer easily.

DOING A TESTICULAR SELF-EXAM ONCE A MONTH HELPS YOU LOOK AFTER YOUR BODY.