Newswise — New Brunswick, NJ, April 1, 2022 — According to data from the National Cancer Institute, the median age of a cancer diagnosis is 66, but some cancers occur more frequently in younger people. Testicular cancer, for example, although rare, is a cancer that mainly affects young men between the ages of 20 and 39. It is also one of the most treatable and curable forms of cancer. Therefore, young men should familiarize themselves with the symptoms related to this disease and understand how they can play a role in its detection.

Thomas L. Jang, MD, MPH, FACS, associate chief of urologic oncology and director of the testicular cancer program at the Rutgers Cancer Institute in New Jersey and associate professor of surgery and program director for the urology residency program at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, shares more.

Testicular cancer is largely a disease of young men. Although testicular cancer can affect men of any age, it usually affects young men who are between 20 and 30 years old. The average age at diagnosis of testicular cancer is around 33 years old according to the American Cancer Society.

Men need to understand the basics. Testicular cancer begins when healthy cells in a testicle change and grow uncontrollably, forming a tumor. Men whose testicles did not descend into the scrotum at birth, a condition known as cryptorchidism, are at increased risk of testicular cancer. Lowering the testicle into the scrotum with surgery does not decrease the risk of developing testicular cancer, but it does make it easier to examine the testicle and detect any abnormalities early. Other established risk factors include a family or personal history of testicular cancer.

We need to normalize conversations about men’s health. Most men are too nervous or uncomfortable to approach their doctor – or anyone else – when abnormalities occur in their testicles. Many men may feel that their masculinity is threatened both by the diagnosis and by any necessary treatment, including the removal of a testicle. Not talking or waiting and hoping that a testicular lump will go away on its own is dangerous and can lead to cancer affecting other parts of the body. Talking about men’s health issues can help normalize the fact that all men need to check and get familiar with their bodies and report any changes to their doctor.

Self-examination is simple. Warning signs of testicular cancer may include a hard lump or enlargement of the testicle; a dull ache in the groin or lower abdomen; and pain, swelling, or discomfort in the testicles. The self-examination is simple and only takes a few minutes. Know what your testicles normally look like. To self-examine, an individual should hold each testicle separately between the thumbs and index fingers of both hands and roll it gently, looking for hard lumps or rounded masses, as well as changes in shape or size.

The treatment is very effective. Most men with testicular cancer, even those at an advanced stage, can be cured with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of these treatments. Monitoring may be appropriate for some men after the diagnosis has been made. After treatment, the majority of men return to a normal, healthy life, with sexual function and fertility preserved in most cases.

the Urological Oncology Program in New Jersey only NCI Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center together with RWJ Barnabas Health provides highly specialized care for patients with tumors of the genitourinary tract (GU), including testicular cancer. We work together with experts from RWJBarnabas Health’s Oncology Service Suite to deliver a tailored treatment plan to patients, which may include clinical tests. For more information and resources about testicular cancer, visit: https://cinj.org/education/testicular-cancer.