In a testicular check, the doctor will look for anything unusual in the appearance of your scrotum (the sac that holds the testes). They will rotate each testicle between their fingers and thumb and feel for anything unusual such as hard, small lumps, which may indicate cancer. Testicular cancer is most common in young persons with testes aged 15 to 40.
The prostate is a walnut-shaped gland below the bladder that makes the fluid that nourishes and protects sperm. In a prostate check, the doctor will insert a gloved, lubricated finger into your rectum and feel your prostate through the wall of the rectum. A healthy prostate feels spongy, whereas an unhealthy prostate often has hard spots that a doctor can feel. If any hard spots are found, the doctor will likely send you for additional testing. Typically, if someone isn’t experiencing any symptoms, they do not have to get regular prostate checks until after the age of 40.