April is Testicular Cancer Awareness Month

April 10, 2023

Testicular cancer affects 1 in 250 males, and is the most common cancer among males aged 15 to 35. To promote awareness of this particular cancer, the NYCDCCBF is providing our membership this brief educational article, in cooperation with our partners at Memorial Sloan Kettering (“MSK”).

What is Testicular Cancer?

Testicular cancer forms when cancerous cells develop in one or both testicles, often in specialized cells called germ cells. The two most common germ cell tumors are seminomas, which grow slowly and are less likely to spread to other parts of the body, and nonseminomas, which are more aggressive and more likely to spread beyond the testicle.

What are Risk Factors of Testicular Cancer?

Testicular cancer isn’t linked to any habits, activities, or lifestyles. The two most important risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing testicular cancer are:

• Being born with an undescended testicle
• A previous testicular cancer diagnosis

Other risk factors include:

• Being between the ages of 15-35
• Being (non-Hispanic) white
• Family history of testicular cancer

What are Signs and Symptoms of Testicular Cancer?

• Pain, swelling, or a lump or hardness in the testicles (If you find a lump in a testicle, please see a doctor immediately.)
• Lower abdomen or groin pain
• A painless lump in the scrotum
• Heaviness in the scrotum

Diagnosis and Treatment

Doctors perform blood tests to measure certain tumor markers and determine your prognosis. You may also undergo imaging tests to determine if cancerous cells have spread to other parts of your body.

For early-stage testicular cancer, a surgical procedure called radical orchiectomy can be performed, in which the affected testicle is removed, so the tumor may be examined and identified.

Treatment teams may recommend chemotherapy for testicular cancer that’s at a more advanced stage or more likely to metastasize (spread). Chemotherapy saves the life of about 70 percent of men with advanced testicular cancer.

Please be reminded that the NYCDCC Welfare Fund has a partnership with MSK Direct to provide members and your families the highest-quality cancer programs and services, virtually or in-person, to help navigate your unique journey of screening and prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and life beyond cancer.

If you or a family member are impacted by cancer and would like to discuss treatment options at MSK, call the dedicated MSK Direct phone line for NYCDCC participants and dependents at (844) 386-3368 or visit www.mskcc.org/nycdcc.

Additional Resources:

Testicular Cancer- An Overview from Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/testicular-cancer-care/symptoms-causes/syc-20352986

Signs and Symptoms of Testicular Cancer – MSKCC: https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/types/testicular-germ-cell-tumors/symptoms-testicular

Living Beyond Testicular Cancer – MSKCC: https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/types/testicular-germ-cell-tumors/survivorship