Testicular cancer Dr Rob Hicks Testicular cancer is the most common cancer affecting young men in the UK.

In this article

What are the symptoms? Self-examination

How common is it? What causes it?

What's the treatment?

The first sign is usually a painless swelling of one of the testicles or a hard pea-size lump on the front or side of the testicle. Sometimes there may be a dull ache or a sharp pain felt around the testicle or in the scrotum.

Self-examination is best done in or after a bath or shower when the scrotum is relaxed. Holding your scrotum in the palms of your hands, use your fingers and thumbs to examine the shape, consistency and smoothness of the testicles.

It's not unusual for one testicle to be slightly smaller than the other, or for one to hang lower. But if something doesn't feel right, get it checked by the doctor - don't ignore it.

It’s the commonest cancer affecting young men between 20 and 39, with almost half of all testicular cancers occurring in men under 35 years old.

In 2006, 2,065 men in the UK were diagnosed with testicular cancer and there were 58 deaths from the disease in the UK in 2007.

Its cause isn't known, but men who've had undescended testicles and those with a close male relative who's had testicular cancer are more at risk. In the USA , its five times more common in white men compared to other ethnic groups.

There is no link to having had a vasectomy but there is a slightly increased risk if you have had mumps affecting your testes, and a much higher risk if you have already had testicular cancer in the other testicle.

There are no guaranteed ways of preventing testicular cancer. However, if undescended testicles are corrected before a boy is ten years old, his risk of developing testicular cancer drops back to the average level. Regular exercise may also reduce the risk.

Testicular cancer is one of the most curable cancers, with around 80 per cent of men making a full recovery even if the cancer has spread

Testicular cancer is one of the most curable cancers, with around 80 per cent of men making a full recovery even if the cancer has spread. The affected testicle is removed surgically. If the cancer hasn't spread, further treatment may not be necessary. If it has, chemotherapy is usually given. Radiotherapy is sometimes used in the early stages.

Having a testicle removed shouldn't affect a man's sex life or his chance of becoming a dad.

This article was last medically reviewed by Dr Gill Jenkins in September 2009.