Testicular Cancer Screening
Overview
Testicular cancer is not common. It is often first discovered by the person or a sex partner as a lump or an enlarged and swollen testicle. In the early stages of testicular cancer, the lump, which may be about the size of a pea, usually is not painful. Testicular cancer has a high cure rate.
Experts don't recommend screening for testicular cancer. For example, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force advises against routine testicular exam or testicular self-exams in teens and adults who have no symptoms.footnote 1 The USPSTF says that the evidence shows that these exams have only a small benefit (if any) and may cause harm from false-positive results that lead to having diagnostic tests or procedures you don't need.
Monthly testicular self-exams may be recommended for those who are at high risk for testicular cancer. This includes anyone who has a history of an undescended testicle or a family or personal history of testicular cancer.
Related Information
References
Citations
Credits
Current as of: March 1, 2023
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
E. Gregory Thompson MD - Internal Medicine
Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine
Christopher G. Wood MD, FACS - Urology, Oncology
- Top of the page
-
Next Section:
Related Information
-
Previous Section:
Overview - Top of the page
-
Next Section:
References
-
Previous Section:
Related Information - Top of the page
-
Next Section:
Credits
-
Previous Section:
References - Top of the page
Current as of: March 1, 2023
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:E. Gregory Thompson MD - Internal Medicine & Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine & Christopher G. Wood MD, FACS - Urology, Oncology