Many men never check their testicles or do not know how to check them properly, the Movember Foundation has warned.

The foundation - a global men's health charity - has partnered with the GAA to highlight the importance of men checking their testicles regularly. It highlighted the fact that testicular cancer is a young man's disease, most commonly detected in males aged between 15 and 34.

The foundation and the GAA have released a series of ‘ballsy' photos, featuring GAA players, Jason Hughes, Emlyn Mulligan Lee Chin and Killian Clarke ‘copping a feel' to raise awareness of testicular cancer.

The pictures aim to encourage males and their partners to ‘Know thy Nuts'.

"While testicular cancer is the most common cancer in young men, it's largely overlooked and many men simply are not aware of the signs they need to look out for. Partnering with the GAA, we're asking guys and their partners to #KnowThyNuts," explained Movember country manager, Neil Rooney.

Speaking about the issue, former senior Monaghan footballer, Jason Hughes, acknowledged that it can be difficult for young men to talk about subjects like this, ‘even though it's absolutely a conversation we need to be having'.

Men are being encouraged to get to know their testicles better and if they notice any lumps, swelling or pain, to see a doctor. The following are helpful tips when checking your testicles:
-A warm, comfortable environment is best, such as in the shower
-Roll one testicle between the thumb and fingers, checking for anything that does not feel right, such as a lump
-Repeat with the other testicle
-If something feels unusual or hurts, go to your doctor.

The 'ballsy' pictures can be viewed here