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| Author | Aaron Kitcher |
| Abstract | Testicular Cancer (TC) remains the most common occurring cancer in young men and recent trends suggest an increase throughout the western world, (Cook, 2000). Whilst TC is highly treatable, late diagnosis might result in poor treatment outcome. Testicular Self-Examination (TSE), a procedure whereby men can routinely systematically examine their testicles, has been advocated as an effective behaviour in the detection of TC. This procedure might also give men the opportunity to take responsibility for their own health. This study aims to explore young men's knowledge and attitudes of TC and TSE. By using a descriptive research approach an eighteen-item self-report questionnaire was administered among a sample of 20 male teenage student nurses who are in their first year of nursing studies at the Institute of Health Care, University of Malta. Results show that the majority of the sample were either unaware or misled about the aspects of TC and TSE. The majority of the sample did not know that TC is most common in their age group. A disturbing outcome was that only one respondent practised TSE on a regular basis. Participants also indicated that being educated about TC and TSE does not necessarily result in the actual self-examination practice. However, from this study it appears that participants are willing to carry out TSE if the appropriate information is given. Consequently, TSE education amongst male population should be given serious consideration and its inclusion might be suggested in school curricula. |
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| Key words | Adolescent, Knowledge, Attitude, Testicular Cancer, Testicular Self-Examination, Thesis, Nursing |