Assessing the efficiency of methods to teach adolescents about testicular cancer and testicular self-examination - Research Article

Q: What was the main objective of the study?

To assess the effectiveness of formal (face-to-face with a model) and informal (video presentation) methods for teaching male adolescents about testicular cancer and testicular self-examination.

Q: How was the intervention delivered to participants?

In two high schools, one subgroup received a video covering testicular anatomy, cancer, and self-examination, while another subgroup received in-person training using a model. Effectiveness was evaluated at the end of the third month.

Q: Did the trainings change adolescents’ testicular self-examination behavior?

Yes. Both trainings significantly increased the number of male adolescents performing TSE, with results reported as statistically significant (p < 0.001).

Q: What conclusion did the authors draw about the teaching methods?

Both developmentally tailored video content and face-to-face training with interactive, professionally produced medical models were effective and could lead to beneficial behavioral changes in performing TSE.

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by mieayamfan

Study evaluates how best to teach adolescent males about testicular cancer (TC) and testicular self-examination (TSE) given rising TC incidence and the need for early detection. An intervention study was carried out in two high schools with 142 students in a video-based group and 102 students in a control group. Video instruction covering anatomy, cancer, and self-examination was compared with face-to-face training using an interactive medical model. Both approaches produced significant improvements at three months, including increased TSE performance.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages11

Reading Time28 min

AccessFree to download

Background/aim

Material and methods

Results

Conclusion

Key words

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences | Volume 55 Number 6 | Article 10 | | --- | --- | | 12-12-2025
Assessing the efficiency of methods to teach adolescents about testicular cancer and testicular self-examination
AYŞE GÜL GÜVEN LADEN JAFARİ MURAT DOĞUŞ GÜNEL ÖZLEM AKBULUT
Follow this and additional works at: [https://journals.tubitak.gov.tr/medical](https://journals.tubitak.gov.tr/medical)
Part of the Medical Sciences Commons | | Recommended Citation GÜVEN, A, JAFARİ, L, GÜNEL, M, & AKBULUT, Ö (2025) . Assessing the efficiency of methods to teach adolescents about testicular cancer and testicular self-examination. Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences 55 (6): 1435-1444 . [https://doi.org/10.55730/1300-0144.6101](https://doi.org/10.55730/1300-0144.6101) This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. This Research Article is brought to you for free and open access by TÜBİTAK Academic Journals. It has been accepted for inclusion in Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences by an authorized editor of TÜBİTAK Academic Journals. For more information, please contact [academic.publications@tubitak.gov.tr](academic.publications@tubitak.gov.tr) |
| Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences [http://journals.tubitak.gov.tr/medical/](http://journals.tubitak.gov.tr/medical/)

Research Article | Turk J Med Sci
(2025) 55: 1435-1444 © TÜBİTAK
doi:10.55730/1300-0144.6101 | | --- | --- | --- | Assessing the efficiency of methods to teach adolescents about testicular cancer and testicular self-examination 1 Division Ayşe Gül GÜVEN1,*􀁋, Laden JAFARİ2􀁋, Murat Doğuş GÜNEL3􀁋, Özlem AKBULUT4􀁋 of Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkiye 2 Division of Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Bayındır Hospital, Ankara, Turkiye 3 Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkıye 4 Division of Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Başkent University, Ankara, Turkiye Received: 05.08.2025 Accepted/Published Online: 26.10.2025 Final Version: 12.12.2025 Background/aim: Due to the increasing incidence of testicular cancer (TC), early testicular self-examination (TSE) in adolescent males is crucial for early detection and treatment. However, it is uncertain which method is best for teaching about TC and TSE in this age group. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of formal (face to face with model) and informal (video presentation) approaches in male adolescents about TC and TSE. Material and methods: This intervention study was conducted in 2 high schools, and included a study group (n = 142) and a control group (n = 102). In the study group, a video was shown to one subgroup of male students (n = 60) about testicular anatomy, cancer, and self-examination, while another subgroup (n = 82) received in-person training on the same topics using a model. Results: The effectiveness of both trainings was evaluated at the end of the third month. Both trainings were significantly effective (p < 0.05). The number of male adolescents performing TSE increased significantly in both training groups (p < 0.001) . Conclusion: Both video content tailored to the developmental level of the male adolescent group and face-to-face training using interactive and professionally produced medical models were effective in teaching about TC and TSE and can lead to beneficial behavioral changes in performing TSE. Key words: Adolescents, testicular cancer, self-examination, male 1. Introduction Adolescence is a critical period during which individuals develop body awareness, risk-taking tendencies, and preventive health behaviors that can shape their future well-being in adulthood. Neglecting adolescent health not only threatens previous gains in child health but can also negatively affect adult health, exacerbate health inequalities, and contribute to

FAQs

What was the main objective of the study?

To assess the effectiveness of formal (face-to-face with a model) and informal (video presentation) methods for teaching male adolescents about testicular cancer and testicular self-examination.

How was the intervention delivered to participants?

In two high schools, one subgroup received a video covering testicular anatomy, cancer, and self-examination, while another subgroup received in-person training using a model. Effectiveness was evaluated at the end of the third month.

Did the trainings change adolescents’ testicular self-examination behavior?

Yes. Both trainings significantly increased the number of male adolescents performing TSE, with results reported as statistically significant (p < 0.001).

What conclusion did the authors draw about the teaching methods?

Both developmentally tailored video content and face-to-face training with interactive, professionally produced medical models were effective and could lead to beneficial behavioral changes in performing TSE.

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by mieayamfan