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Testicular Cancer Screening

Testicular cancer screening isn’t currently available for the general population. Instead, men should perform self-exams and know the signs of cancer.

Screening for Testicular Cancer

Testicular cancer is rare, and there is currently no recommendation for testicular cancer screening in the general population. Instead, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University encourages men to perform self-exams and familiarize themselves with testicular cancer symptoms and report them to their doctor right away.

Detecting Testicular Cancer

Most testicular cancers are detected because of the presence of symptoms, namely a lump on the testicle. Many testicular cancers can be felt when they are still relatively small and have yet to spread. That’s why the genitourinary cancer specialists at Winship recommend monthly self-exams, beginning at puberty. Follow the American Cancer Society’s directives on how to perform testicular self-exam.

Testicular Cancer Symptoms

Most cancers don’t produce symptoms until they’ve already reached advanced stages. But early-stage testicular cancers often cause symptoms that can lead to a diagnosis before the cancer spreads to other parts of the body.

Anyone experiencing the following testicular cancer symptoms should report them to their doctor without delay. Testicular cancer tends to be fast-growing, so waiting even a week to call your doctor could make a difference in your care.

  • Lump on the testicle, whether painful or not
  • Swollen or enlarged testicle
  • Early puberty in boys
  • Enlarged breasts or breast soreness

These symptoms can be caused by a variety of conditions, and the vast majority of people who experience these symptoms do not have testicular cancer. Still, it’s important to seek a diagnosis right away. The sooner testicular cancer is diagnosed, the better your prognosis will be.

Researching Testicular Cancer

Winship Cancer Institute is dedicated to curing cancer through our extensive research program, which goes beyond developing novel treatments for cancer. We’re focused on improving all the ways the world prevents, detects, diagnoses, treats and survives all types of cancer, including testicular cancer.