Testicular self-examination: the person with learning disabilities

Abstract

People with learning disabilities are just as much at risk as the general population are of contracting cancer. Mainstream men’s health care needs are often neglected and this is also true for men who have learning disabilities. Testicular Self Examination (TSE) is seen as an important activity that men should be taught to carry out in order to detect any early changes that may be signs of physiological significance. Testicular cancer is a rare cancer, however incidence is rising. In the majority of cases of testicular cancer over 90% of cases are curable. TSE for the purposes of this article is seen as an activity that can be carried out independently (by the man himself) or with the assistance of another person (for example, carer or partner). This article discusses the importance of TSE and in particular the man who has a learning disability