Testicular Cancer Awareness Month: A Calm, Clear Overview

What this observance is

Testicular Cancer Awareness Month, observed in April, highlights a cancer that is most often diagnosed in younger men, a group that does not always spend much time thinking about cancer. The message is reassuring as well as informative: this is a cancer that can usually be cured, even when it is found at an advanced stage.

What this cancer is

The National Cancer Institute explains that testicular cancer most often begins in germ cells, the cells that make sperm. It is rare, and it is most frequently diagnosed in men aged 20 to 34, with the highest rates between ages 25 and 34. NCI notes that testicular cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in this younger age range. The two main types of testicular germ cell tumors are seminomas and nonseminomas. Encouragingly, NCI states that most testicular cancers can be cured, even if diagnosed at an advanced stage, and that although the number of new cases has doubled over the last 40 years, deaths have decreased greatly because of better treatments.

Screening & prevention (per NCI)

On prevention, NCI is clear that it does not have evidence-based information about preventing testicular cancer, and it points readers to its general Cancer Prevention Overview instead. NCI does describe risk factors identified in its screening summary, including cryptorchidism (an undescended testicle), a testicle that is not normal, testicular carcinoma in situ, being a White man, a personal or family history of testicular cancer, and Klinefelter syndrome. On screening, NCI states there is no standard or routine screening test for testicular cancer. Most often the cancer is first found by men themselves, by chance or during self-exam, or by a doctor during a routine physical exam. NCI notes that routine screening probably would not lower the risk of dying from testicular cancer, partly because it can usually be cured at any stage, though finding it early may make treatment easier and reduce the amount of treatment needed. See the NCI links for full details.

How to take part

• Learn what NCI actually says rather than relying on rumor or fear.
• If you notice a lump or change, ask a healthcare professional; many changes are not cancer, but checking is reasonable.
• Share the encouraging, accurate message that this cancer is usually curable.
• Support free, reliable cancer education so good information reaches the people who need it.

Questions to ask a healthcare team

• Given my history, do I have any known risk factors for testicular cancer?
• If I notice a lump or change, what is the right next step?
• What tests would be used if something needs to be checked?
• Where can I find trustworthy information if I want to read more?