Male college students' compliance with testicular self-examination

The role of the physician and written educational material were assessed for effectiveness in increasing the regular performance of monthly testicular self-examination (TSE) by male college students. Of 633 students from three New England colleges, 4.7% (n = 30) performed monthly TSE. These respondents then received written material or written material plus a physician's lecture on testicular cancer and TSE. In follow-up, 18% of the students that received written material alone (n = 24 of 130) reported performing monthly TSE. Of the students that also received a physician's lecture, 36% (n = 58 of 163) reported performing monthly TSE, a statistically significant increase in performance. Still the majority of the students followed did NOT adopt the practice of monthly TSE. Although the physician appears to be able to make a significant difference in the group's performance of TSE, a search for more effective methods to increase this population's practice of TSE should be sought.