International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Int J Prev Med)2008-78024620120915684689ENSchool of Psychology, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 2HE, UKSchool of Psychology, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 2HE, UK20120915<p><strong>Background: </strong>Breast and testicular cancers affect a substantial and increasing proportion of the global population. Self-examination encourages early detection and treatment of these cancers, which positively impacts on patient quality of life and survival.</p> <p><strong>Methods: </strong>The present study investigated the role of body esteem in breast and testicular self-examination. Men (<em>N </em>= 60) and women (<em>N </em>= 90) recruited from a British University completed the body esteem scale and either the testicular self-examination or breast self-examination questionnaire.</p> <p><strong>Results: </strong>Logistic regression models revealed that body esteem predicted women&rsquo;s intention to engage in breast self-examination. Women with higher levels of sexual attractiveness and those with lower levels of weight concern were more likely to report that they would regularly self-examine in the future. Body esteem did not however, distinguish between those women that did or did not currently self-examine or predict men&rsquo;s current or intended testicular self-examination.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings have implications for the promotion of self-examination and highlight an emerging area of preventive health research.</p> <strong>Keywords: </strong>Body image, breast cancer, health behavior, self-examination, testicular cancerhttp://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/view/915http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/download/915/1062