The Robin Cancer Trust has shared five quick and easy hacks to remember monthly self-checks ahead of Male Cancer Awareness Week

You’d think we’d be all over it, but too many men aren’t checking their crown jewels often enough – despite testicular cancer being the most common cancer in young men.

That’s why the Robin Cancer Trust, the UK’s only germ cell cancer charity, is urging men across the country to get into the habit of checking themselves regularly during Male Cancer Awareness Week (16th to 21st) this September.

The charity, founded by Toby Freeman after tragically losing his younger brother Robin to the disease at just 24, has put together a simple five-step guide to help men remember to check themselves, because too often, embarrassment or forgetfulness leads to late diagnosis.

Five easy hacks to remember to check yourself:

  1. Pick the right moment – The best time is during or just after a hot bath or shower. This is when the balls are relaxed, making it much easier to check.
  2. Set a reminder – Add a recurring monthly alert on your phone so it becomes routine.
  3. Pair it with something regular – Link your check to an existing habit like payday or the first weekend of the month.
  4. Change positions – Check yourself standing, sitting, and lying down to really understand what feels normal for you.
  5. Talk about it – Mention it to a mate, partner, or housemate. A simple conversation can help you remember, and encourage them to do the same.

Toby Freeman, Founder & CEO of The Robin Cancer Trust, said: “Checking yourself takes less than a minute, but it can save your life. Too many men forget, so we wanted to share quick and easy hacks to make it part of your routine. The more conversations we can spark, the more lives we can save.”

Around 2,400 men are diagnosed with testicular cancer in the UK every year. While the majority can be treated successfully if caught early, many cases are detected too late because men aren’t regularly checking themselves.

The Robin Cancer Trust is on a mission to change that, through bold campaigns, school and university talks and initiatives like the ‘Big Ballsy Challenge’, which aims to raise £240,000 to fund life-saving awareness work across the UK, with Toby Freeman running marathons and ultramarathons dressed in a giant testicle costume.

For more tips on how to check your testicles, please visit: https://www.therobincancertrust.org/testicular-cancer