Knowledge of testicular cancer risk and need for self-examination in college students: a call for equal time for men in teaching of early cancer detection techniques.

College athletes were surveyed about their knowledge and practice of early cancer detection techniques. Males were almost completely unaware of their risk for testicular cancer (87%). Only 9.6% had been taught testicular self-examination and only half of these by their physician. Six percent actually examined themselves regularly. In comparison, more than 60% of women had been taught breast self-examination (75% by a physician) and about one third were doing regular examinations. More than 90% of the young men and women had been seen by physicians for a physical examination within the past 3 years. Physicians need to begin educating males about testicular cancer and its early detection.