Male (age group 20-40) knowledge and awareness of testicular cancer and testicular self-examination

Objectives. In Latvia every year an average of 35 men are diagnosed with testicular cancer, often in late stage. Delayed diagnosis may be associated with patients lack of knowledge about this disease and lack of knowledge about the need for testicular self-examination. The objectives of the study are to clarify the knowledge of young men regarding testicular cancer and testicular self-examination and to promote the knowledge of the participants of the study, regarding the disease.
Materials and Methods. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in Riga and Saldusmunicipality, Latvia from November 2021 till March 2022. An anonymous questionnaire was distributedamong randomly selected 300 male patients (aged 20–40 years) in two family medicine practices, 150patients per practice. The data was analysed using IBM SPSS program.
Results. Only 33,33% questionnaires were completed (n = 100). Among all respondents 30% havenever heard about testicular cancer and only 8% declare that they are aware and alert about this diagnosis.Half of respondents (51%) have never searched for information regarding men’s health topics. However,9% of respondents have searched for information specifically about testicular cancer at least once in theirlifetime. Only 16% agree to the statement that testicular cancer is the most common oncology amongyoung men. Out of 100 respondents 65 think that the first and main symptoms of testicular cancer are painand swelling in affected testicle or in whole scrotum. Majority of respondents (69%) have never performedtesticular self-examination and only 11% of respondents affirm that they know how to perform it step bystep.
Conclusions. Our data imply that knowledge and awareness of 20–40 years old Latvian men regardingtesticular cancer and testicular self-examination are i nsufficient.