Testicular cancer is the most common malignancy among young men in Türkiye. Self-testicular examination is a simple, cost-effective, and noninvasive method for early detection. In recent years, peer education has gained prominence as a complementary approach to traditional testicular self-examination (TSE) instruction. This study investigates the impact of peer education on health responsibility, health beliefs, knowledge, and practices related to the early detection of testicular cancer among university students. This randomized controlled trial was conducted between October 2023 and June 2024, involving 280 male students (140 in the experimental group and 140 in the control group). Data were collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Testicular Cancer and Self-Examination Knowledge Test, and a Health Responsibility and Health Belief Model questionnaire at baseline and 6 months post-intervention. Statistical analyses included the chi-square test, independent t test, and paired t test (α = .05). At baseline, no significant differences were observed between the groups. However, post-intervention, the experimental group demonstrated significantly higher levels of knowledge, health responsibility, perceived susceptibility, perceived benefits, self-efficacy, and motivation (p < .05), while perceived seriousness and perceived barriers remained unchanged (p > .05). These findings suggest that peer education is an effective strategy for enhancing testicular cancer awareness and promoting self-examination practices. Nurses play a critical role in implementing such programs, particularly within university-based health education for young men, contributing to the strengthening of public health initiatives and policies.
Keywords: early diagnosis; health belief; health responsibility; peer education; self-examination; student; testicular cancer.