Palpation of the Testes in Draftees: Acceptance on the Occasion of Muster and Implication for Health Promotion

Promoting Testicular Cancer Awareness and Screening: A Systematic Review of Interventions

BACKGROUND

Testicular cancer (TC) is a relatively curable malignancy that predominantly affects young males. Key decision makers discourage TC screening because of lack of evidence about the benefits of this practice, whereas others argue that men must be aware of normal versus abnormal testicular findings. Despite the debate on TC surveillance, a number of research efforts are still being made to increase men's awareness of TC and its screening.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to systematically review studies that were conducted to enhance men's knowledge and awareness regarding TC and its screening and increase their TC screening intentions and practices.

METHODS

Studies published in English between 2004 and 2014 were reviewed using 3 e-databases, and interventions that were in line with the review aims were selected.

RESULTS

A total of 3076 records were screened for eligibility, and 11 studies met the inclusion criteria. The majority of the reviewed interventions successfully enhanced men's awareness of TC and its screening and increased their intentions to perform testicular self-examination. Examples include videos about TC, shower gel sachets, stickers, and posters, a television show, a university campaign, and high self-efficacy messages about TC screening. Men at risk of health disparities were underrepresented in the reviewed literature.

CONCLUSIONS

A number of interesting channels through which men can learn about TC were identified. Examples include social media and mass media.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Given the controversy that surrounds TC screening, nurses can play a key role in increasing men's awareness of TC rather than advising periodical TC self-examination.

Testicular Cancer Awareness and Screening Practices: A Systematic Review

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES

To critically appraise empirical evidence gathered from studies that (a) explored men's knowledge, awareness, and attitudes toward testicular cancer (TC) and its screening; (b) addressed their testicular self-examination (TSE) practice; and/or (c) highlighted barriers and facilitators to this practice.
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DATA SOURCES

MEDLINE®, CINAHL®, and EMBASE®.
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DATA SYNTHESIS

25 articles met the inclusion criteria. Knowledge deficits regarding TC and its screening were seen. Participants who did not perform TSE often were uninformed about this practice. The majority of men perceived TC education as a positive step toward raising awareness about this malignancy.
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CONCLUSIONS

Very few men were informed about TC and TSE. Future studies should include valid and reliable tools to assess TC knowledge and screening, address the means through which TC knowledge is delivered, explore the individual's experience with TC screening, and focus on TC awareness and screening among minority groups. 
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IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING

Although regular screening for TC is a controversial issue, nurses should encourage young men to seek medical attention in the event of discovering scrotal abnormalities.