Adolescent student's compliance with testicular self examination.

To determine what adolescents students know or feel about testicular cancer, (TC) and the testicular self examination, (TSE), technique, 127 males students (mean age 16.14 years) were given a 21 item questionnaire. The role of the primary physician and the role of written and visual educational material were assessed for effectiveness in increasing the regular performance of monthly testicular self examination by male students at a Health Education Course at Cervantes Public School at Bayamón, P.R. Out of 127 male student, only 2.4%, (n = 3), initially knew about the symptoms of TC. Analysis of the attitude and knowledge questions revealed that respondents were not sure about general concepts in TC and, were not sure that this cancer could be self diagnosed. This study pretends to assess the effects of modeling and guiding practice as components within a comprehensive testicular self examination education program for adolescents male students. Three groups were studied from 10th, 11th, and 12th, grade. The variables investigated were knowledge of testicular cancer, attitudes toward testicular cancer, and frequency of self reported testicular self examination. The participants then received written material plus a physician's lecture on TC and TSE. Upon follow up, 87.5%, (n = 113) of the students reported performing monthly TSE, (P < 0.001), a statistically significant increase in performance. Although 20.3% (n = 26) reported having a physical examination by a physician within the previous 3 months, less than 4.7%, (n = 6) reported being taught TSE by a physician. Physicians need to educate males about testicular cancer and its early detection.