Most men’s testicles are roughly the same size, despite how highly some of us think of ourselves! It is very common for one to be a little bit bigger than the other, and perhaps hang slightly lower too. We are almost all the same in this respect.

What does change from man to man is the relationship we all have with our balls. It’s extremely important to have a close relationship with your meat and two veg, with regular checks to ensure things are all in working order. Testicular cancer is one of the most treatable and survivable cancers men can get, but only if you know it’s there and catch it early enough.

Checking your balls for lumps is quick, easy and painless – and often a lot of fun too! Carry on reading to find out what you should do and what you should be looking for.

Quick Guide on How to Check Your Balls

Find your comfortable position, whether lay down or stood in the mirror, and place your balls in your hands one at a time. First off, start by checking the outside of the scrotum for any lumps or bumps. You may feel a soft tube at the back of each testicle, this is called the epididymis and is completely normal.

Next, delicately rub the whole of each testicle between your finger and thumb, and then do the same to any connecting tubes inside the scrotum. This should not cause any pain or discomfort. Your testicles should feel smooth and firm, but not solid.

You should look out for:

  • any lumps on the front or side of your testicles
  • swelling or enlarged testicles
  • any unusual or blatant differences between the two testicles

If you find any of these signs you should contact your GP and get it checked out.

What to Expect at Your GP Appointment

Your GP will probably examine your testicles and may also shine a torch through the skin of the scrotum. This is to check for a build-up of fluid, as fluid usually indicates it is not cancer. If the lump is solid then the doctor will, in most cases, refer you for an ultrasound scan.

More information on what to expect from a cancer diagnosis can be found on the Testicular Cancer page and by reading the blog.