Pilot study of testicular cancer awareness and testicular self-examination in men attending two South London general practices

BACKGROUND: Testicular cancer (TC) awareness and testicular self-examination (TSE) have never been evaluated adequately in UK general practice. TC has a 96% cure rate if detected early. OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to estimate awareness of TC and practice of TSE in a general practice population. METHOD: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was carried out in 250 consecutive male attenders aged 18-50 years in two general practices, one inner city, and one suburban. After obtaining informed consent, male patients in the waiting room were asked to complete a brief confidential questionnaire about TC and TSE. RESULTS: The response rate was 81%. Mean age was 32 years (range 18-50). Seventy-five per cent of responders described themselves as white, 12% Asian, 6% black and 7% other ethnic groups. Ninety-one per cent were aware of TC but only 26% knew both the age group most affected (25-34 years) and that TC can be curable if detected early. Although 49% of responders had carried out TSE in the past year, only 22% were practising according to recommendations: feeling for lumps at least monthly. TSE was associated with age >35 years, white ethnicity, knowing someone with TC, having attended a Men's Health Clinic and having heard of the 'Everyman' TC awareness campaign. CONCLUSION: Although awareness of TC in this GP population was reasonable, less than half were practising TSE. Further public health campaigns may be needed.