student knowledge of testicular cancer and self-examination in a medical sciences university in iran

background: while young men are at higher risk of developing testicular cancer (tc), testicular-self examination (tse) is an easy, cost effectiveness method to early detection of this disease. the aim of the study was to investigate medical sciences student`s awareness, attitude and self-efficacy about tc and tse. methods: this cross-sectional study was carried out among full time young students (n=330) in a medical sciences university in the academic year 2010-2011. in order to collect data a self-administered questionnaire was applied by means of a convenience sampling method among 330 young males. results: less than 5% of the students reported they had knowledge regarding tse and only 10% were performing it. just 2% of them were found to have good knowledge about tc and 17% had good awareness about tse. under 10 % of the participants had good attitude about performing tse and over 81 % also showed poor self-efficacy. conclusion: the findings showed weak awareness and self-efficacy about tc and tse cross young males; it is suggested more attentions should be paid educational courses of medical sciences students, more importantly, in terms of principles and practice of cancer prevention.