Skip to content
Know Cancer

Movember: Testicular Cancer Signs and How to Do a Self-Exam

November 13, 2026 · Testicular Cancer, Cancer Screening

A young man twirls the ends of his mustache.
Photo: Tom PREJEANT on Unsplash

November is Movember, when people around the world grow mustaches to raise awareness of men's health, including testicular cancer. It's a cancer of younger men, and it's one of the most treatable cancers there is, especially when found early. Here's what every man, and everyone who loves one, should know.

Who gets testicular cancer

The American Cancer Society estimates that about 9,810 men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2026, and about 630 will die from it. It's not common, about 1 in 250 men will get it in their lifetime, but it mostly affects young and middle-aged men. The average age at diagnosis is about 33, and about half of cases are in men aged 20 to 45.

The outlook is very good. Based on people diagnosed from 2015 to 2021, the 5-year relative survival rate is about 99% when the cancer hasn't spread beyond the testicle, about 96% when it has spread to nearby lymph nodes or tissues, and about 72% even when it has spread to distant parts of the body.

Warning signs

  • A lump or swelling in a testicle. This is usually the first sign. The lump is often painless.
  • A feeling of heaviness in the scrotum.
  • A dull ache in the lower belly or groin.
  • A change in how the testicle feels, such as becoming firmer.
  • Breast tenderness or growth, caused by hormones some tumors make (less common).
  • If the cancer has spread: low back pain, shortness of breath or cough, belly pain or headaches.

Many of these can be caused by things that aren't cancer, such as an infection or a fluid-filled sac. But don't wait to find out. See a doctor promptly about any lump or change, even if it doesn't hurt. Some men delay out of embarrassment, and that delay is the main thing that makes this cancer harder to treat.

Risk factors

  • An undescended testicle (cryptorchidism), even if it was corrected with surgery
  • A family history, especially a father or brother with testicular cancer
  • HIV infection
  • Having had testicular cancer before. About 3% to 4% of men who've been cured of it will develop cancer in the other testicle.
  • Race and ethnicity. In the U.S., the risk is higher in white, American Indian and Alaska Native men.

Most men with testicular cancer have no known risk factors, so awareness matters for everyone.

Should you do a self-exam?

The American Cancer Society doesn't have a recommendation for regular testicular self-exams for all men, since there isn't enough research to show they lower the risk of dying from this cancer. But it does recommend that men know how their testicles normally feel and see a doctor right away about any changes. Some doctors recommend a monthly self-exam, especially for men with risk factors. Talk with your doctor about what's right for you.

How to do a testicular self-exam

  1. Do it during or after a warm shower or bath, when the skin of the scrotum is relaxed.
  2. Check one testicle at a time. Hold it between your thumbs and fingers and roll it gently.
  3. Feel for hard lumps, smooth rounded bumps, or changes in size, shape or firmness.
  4. Know what's normal. It's common for one testicle to be a bit larger or hang lower. The soft, tube-like structure at the back is the epididymis, which is normal too.
  5. See a doctor about anything new or different.

Diagnosis and treatment

If you have a lump, your doctor will usually start with an ultrasound of the scrotum and blood tests for tumor markers. Unlike many cancers, testicular cancer is usually not biopsied through the skin. If cancer is likely, the whole testicle is removed through an incision in the groin. Depending on the type and stage, treatment may also include surveillance, chemotherapy, radiation or lymph node surgery. Losing one testicle usually doesn't affect sex life or the ability to have children, but some treatments can affect fertility, so ask about sperm banking before treatment starts.

Learn more about testicular cancer symptoms and treatment, or find oncologists near you.

The bottom line

Testicular cancer is a young man's cancer, and it's highly curable. Know what's normal for you, and don't let embarrassment keep you from getting a lump checked. This Movember, share this with the men in your life.

This article is for general information and is not medical advice. Talk with your doctor about your own situation.

Sources