Testicle checks 'now more common'

The majority of testicular cancer patients are cured

The number of young British men who check their testicles for signs of cancer has tripled in a decade, research suggests.

In 1990 only 10% of men checked their testicles, but this increased to more than 36% by 2000.

Cancer Research UK scientists quizzed 17,000 students in 21 European countries in 1990, and another 19,000 10 years later.

The examination rate in British men in 2000 was double the European average.

Many British blokes are literally getting a grip on their health Dr Lesley Walker

Across Europe the number of students who checked their testicles increased from 13% to 18%.

Dr Lesley Walker, Cancer Research UK's director of information, said: "This shows that many British blokes are literally getting a grip on their health.

"Men have a bad reputation for taking care of themselves in medical matters but this shows real progress which we need to build on."

Early diagnosis

Dr Walker said regular checks meant young men gave themselves the best possible chance of picking up suspicious changes, such as lumps, at an early stage, when treatment was most likely to be effective.

TESTICULAR CANCER SYMPTOMS Hard lump at front or side of testicle Swollen enlarged, or painful testicle Differences in testicles Heavy feeling in scrotum or dull ache

Testicular cancer is one of the few cancers that affect young men.

It is rare - around 2,000 cases a year are diagnosed in the UK - but rates are increasing.

Almost 98% of patients make a full recovery.

The research is published online by the Journal of Men's Health and Gender.