What men under 40 should know about testicular cancer

By Alex Osiadacz

Approximately 1 of every 250 men in the U.S. will develop testicular cancer, with the average age of 33 at the time of diagnosis, according to the American Cancer Society.

Men ages 20 to 40 are the primary group diagnosed with testicular cancer. While highly treatable, early detection can affect outcomes.

Watch this "Mayo Clinic Minute" video to hear Timothy Lyon, M.D., a Mayo Clinic urologist and oncologist, explain what men should know about testicular cancer:

"The majority of testicular cancers are actually painless," says Dr. Lyon. "Men should not be reassured if they're not having pain. If something feels abnormal, it still needs to be evaluated."

Start with monthly self-examinations to make sure there are no abnormal ridges, bumps or masses on either testicle. Risk factors include if a testicle did not fully descend at birth, or if there is family history or a previous personal history of testicular cancer.

"We are able to cure almost all men affected with testicular cancer, no matter what stage of disease they present with," Dr. Lyon says.

Treatment starts by removing the affected testicle, and may require chemotherapy, radiation or additional surgery.

Many patients ask whether they can still have children after testicular cancer.

"Many men, particularly those with early stage testicular cancer are able to preserve their fertility and not have any change in their likelihood of being able to father a child," Dr. Lyon says. "But, of course, every situation is different."

Learn more

Learn more about testicular cancer and find a testicular cancer clinical trial at Mayo Clinic.

Also read, "What young men need to know about testicular cancer."

A version of this article was originally published on the Mayo Clinic News Network.