Testicular Cancer

Testicular Cancer – A Young Man’s Disease

Testicular cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the testicles.  Testicular cancer typically affects men aged 15 to 35 years. Testicular cancer typically develops in one or both testicles in young men, but it can occur in older men as well. When detected early, it can be treated successfully in more than 95% of cases.

Risk Factors

• Undescended testicle
• Family History
• HIV Infection
• Cancer of the other testicle
• Age – about half of all testicular cancers occur in men ages 20-34.
• Race and ethnicity – White men have a 4-5 times higher rate than African-American men and more than 3 times that of Asian-American men

Symptoms of Testicular Cancer

Most cancers of the testes are found during a self-exam or at an annual physical with your doctor. You may be able to feel a firm lump or mass in your scrotum, which may or may not be painful.

Symptoms include:

• Lump or swelling in the testicle
• Breast growth or soreness
• Early signs of puberty in boys
• Low back pain, shortness of breath or cough may present in cases where the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

(American Cancer Society)

It is very important to talk to your doctor if you experience any pain or discomfort in the testicles or feel a lump during a self-exam. It’s also important to get in the habit of performing regular testicular self-exams so that you can become familiar with your body and notice any suspicious changes that should be examined by a doctor. Early detection and diagnosis of testicular cancer provide you with the best chance for successful treatment and long-term health.