A study conducted by the Cancer Research U.K. has found that the number of young British men, who have their testicles checked for signs of cancer, has tripled in the last decade.

In 1990 only 10 percent of men checked their testicles, but this increased to more than 36 percent by 2000.

Cancer Research UK scientists quizzed 17,000 students in 21 European countries in year 1990 and later on they surveyed another 19,000 10 years later. The examination rate in British men in 2000 was double the European average. Across Europe the number of students who checked their testicles increased from 13 percent to 18 percent.

Dr. Lesley Walker, Cancer Research U.K.’s director of information said, “This shows that many British males are literally getting a grip on their health. Men have a bad reputation for taking care of themselves in medical matters but this shows real progress which we need to build on.”

Walker said regular checks of the male testicles provide young men the best possible chance of detecting changes such as lumps, at an early age, when treatment is still more effective.

Testicular cancer is one of the few cancers that affect young men.