April is Testicular Cancer Awareness Month: What Every Man Should Know About the Most Curable Cancer

There’s a strange paradox in men’s health. Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in young men ages 15 to 35—yet it remains one of the least discussed. Many men have never performed a self-exam. Some don’t even know they should.

April is Testicular Cancer Awareness Month, and at Los Angeles Urology, board-certified urologist Dr. Ali Afshar wants to change the conversation. With early detection, testicular cancer has a cure rate exceeding 95%. But that remarkable statistic only matters if men know what to look for and feel empowered to seek care when something doesn’t seem right.

Why Testicular Cancer Deserves Your Attention

Unlike many cancers that primarily affect older adults, testicular cancer strikes during what should be the healthiest years of a man’s life. The peak incidence occurs between ages 20 and 34—a time when most young men aren’t thinking about cancer at all.

Approximately 9,500 new cases of testicular cancer are diagnosed in the United States each year. While that number is relatively small compared to other cancers, the impact on young men and their families can be profound. These are men building careers, starting families, and planning futures. A cancer diagnosis during these formative years carries unique challenges that extend beyond the physical.

The encouraging news is that testicular cancer responds exceptionally well to treatment, even in cases that have spread beyond the testicle. Advances in chemotherapy, surgery, and surveillance protocols have made this one of the most treatable malignancies in all of oncology. The key, as with most cancers, is catching it early.

Understanding Your Risk

Testicular cancer can affect any man, but certain factors increase the likelihood of developing the disease:

• Undescended Testicle (Cryptorchidism): Men born with a testicle that didn’t descend into the scrotum have a higher risk, even if the condition was surgically corrected in childhood.
• Family History: Having a father or brother who had testicular cancer increases your risk.
• Previous Testicular Cancer: Men who have had cancer in one testicle have an elevated risk of developing it in the other.
• Age: While testicular cancer can occur at any age, it most commonly affects men between 15 and 35.
• Race and Ethnicity: White men are more likely to develop testicular cancer than men of other racial backgrounds, though researchers are still working to understand why.

Having one or more risk factors doesn’t mean you’ll develop testicular cancer—and many men diagnosed with the disease have no identifiable risk factors at all. This is precisely why awareness and self-examination matter for all men.

The Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

Testicular cancer often announces itself through subtle changes that are easy to dismiss. Knowing what to watch for can make the difference between early detection and delayed diagnosis.

Common warning signs include:

• A Lump or Swelling: The most common symptom is a painless lump or enlargement in either testicle. The lump may be as small as a pea or significantly larger.
• Heaviness or Aching: A feeling of heaviness in the scrotum or a dull ache in the lower abdomen or groin.
• Changes in Size or Shape: One testicle becoming noticeably larger or smaller than the other, or a change in how the testicle feels.
• Fluid Accumulation: Sudden collection of fluid in the scrotum.
• Breast Tenderness or Growth: Some testicular tumors produce hormones that can cause breast tissue changes.
• Back Pain: In cases where cancer has spread, lower back pain may be present.

It’s worth noting that many of these symptoms can also be caused by non-cancerous conditions like infections, cysts, or varicoceles. But that’s exactly why evaluation matters—only a medical professional can determine the cause and recommend appropriate next steps.

The Self-Exam: Your First Line of Defense

Monthly testicular self-exams are one of the simplest yet most effective tools for early detection. The exam takes just a few minutes and can be performed in the shower when warm water relaxes the scrotal skin.

How to perform a self-exam:

Begin by holding one testicle between your thumbs and fingers with both hands. Roll the testicle gently between your fingers, feeling for any lumps, hard spots, or changes in size or shape. The testicle should feel smooth and firm, but not hard. You’ll notice the epididymis—a soft, tube-like structure behind the testicle that stores and transports sperm. This is normal and shouldn’t be confused with an abnormality.

Repeat the process with the other testicle. It’s normal for one testicle to be slightly larger than the other or to hang lower—what you’re looking for are changes from your own baseline.

If you notice anything unusual, don’t panic, but don’t wait either. Schedule an appointment with a urologist for proper evaluation.

What Happens When You Find Something

Discovering a lump or change can be alarming, but the diagnostic process is straightforward and typically begins with a physical examination and scrotal ultrasound. This painless imaging test uses sound waves to create pictures of the testicles and can help distinguish between solid masses and fluid-filled cysts.

Blood tests may also be ordered to check for tumor markers—proteins that certain testicular cancers release into the bloodstream. These markers, including alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), help with diagnosis and monitoring.

If cancer is suspected, treatment typically begins with surgical removal of the affected testicle (orchiectomy). This procedure is both diagnostic and therapeutic, allowing pathologists to examine the tissue and determine the exact type and stage of cancer.

For many men, surgery alone is curative. Others may require additional treatment such as surveillance protocols, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy depending on the cancer type and whether it has spread.

Life After Testicular Cancer

One of the most common concerns men have about testicular cancer treatment is how it will affect their lives—particularly fertility and sexual function.

The removal of one testicle typically doesn’t affect a man’s ability to have erections, experience orgasm, or father children. The remaining testicle usually produces enough testosterone and sperm for normal function. However, some treatments, particularly chemotherapy, can affect fertility. Dr. Afshar discusses fertility preservation options, including sperm banking, with patients before treatment begins.

Testicular prostheses are available for men who desire them, providing a natural appearance and feel after surgery. These decisions are personal, and Dr. Afshar works with each patient to understand their priorities and concerns.

Breaking the Silence

Perhaps the biggest barrier to early detection isn’t medical—it’s cultural. Many men feel uncomfortable discussing their testicles, even with doctors. Embarrassment keeps some from performing self-exams. Others notice changes but delay seeking care, hoping the problem will resolve on its own.

This Testicular Cancer Awareness Month, Dr. Afshar encourages men to push past that discomfort. A brief conversation or quick exam could save your life. There’s nothing embarrassing about taking charge of your health.

Schedule Your Evaluation in Beverly Hills

If you’ve noticed changes in your testicles, have risk factors for testicular cancer, or simply want to establish care with a urologist who prioritizes men’s health, Dr. Ali Afshar welcomes you to Los Angeles Urology.

As a board-certified urologist and Castle Connolly Top Doctor, Dr. Afshar brings fellowship training from USC in urologic oncology along with a compassionate, patient-centered approach to every consultation. His Beverly Hills office serves men throughout Los Angeles and Southern California.

Contact Los Angeles Urology today at (310) 421-1284 to schedule your appointment. The office is located at 414 N Camden Drive, Suite 650, in Beverly Hills.

Early detection saves lives. This April, make your health a priority.