Awareness and Performance of Testicular Self-Examinations: An Analysis of Social and Cultural Barriers to Cancer Screenings in a US Orthodox Jewish Community.

This study assessed barriers to testicular self-examination (TSE) performance in a population of US Modern Orthodox Jewish undergraduate students. Participants answered questionnaires that measured their TSE performance and their attitudes toward TSEs. Out of 541 participants, 301 (55.6%) had heard of TSEs, 177 (32.7%) had ever performed a TSE, and 21 (3.9%) performed TSEs once per month in the past year. Significant positive associations of TSE awareness and practice included self-efficacy and engagement with medical professionals vis-à-vis testicular health. Shame and adherence to certain religious beliefs negatively correlated with awareness and performance of TSEs. The results demonstrate medical professionals' integral role in educating young individuals about TSEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]