Best Practice in Teaching Male Adolescents and Young Men to Perform Testicular Self-Examinations: A Review

Young men and adolescent males are one of the most medically underserved populations in the United States in several aspects of health care, including sexual health and screening. Recommendations about promoting the testicular self-examination (TSE) vary between professional organizations; however, clinicians who decide to promote the technique must frame their education in developmentally appropriate ways and base their approach on methods proven to work with the target population. The purpose of this literature review is to evaluate interventions published in the peer-reviewed literature to identify which types of methods are effective in teaching TSE to young males (≤ 35 years). Fourteen publications were included in this review. Techniques involving direct education from health care professionals, the use of reminder cards, teaching with use of mannequins, and provision of professional information were most effective in increasing regular TSE. Ineffective interventions included using only written material and employing humor or comedy in an attempt to appeal to young populations.