WeeklySA_AdminSIGNS: Testicular cancer is the leading cancer among young men, yet silence, stigma and delay are costing lives. Experts say a simple monthly self-check could be the difference between early treatment and late diagnosis…
By Own Correspondent
Testicular cancer is the most common cancer affecting men aged 15 to 35, yet it remains one of the least talked about—often hidden behind silence, stigma and misplaced bravado.
Despite survival rates exceeding 95% when detected early, too many young men are still being diagnosed later than they should be. The reason is not a lack of treatment, but a lack of conversation.
“Testicular cancer is highly treatable, especially when caught early,” says Thomas Jang, chief of urologic oncology at Rutgers Cancer Institute.
“But stigma and lack of awareness still prevent many young men from seeking care when something doesn’t feel right.”
The silence
For many men, particularly younger men, talking about health—especially something as personal as testicular health—remains uncomfortable, even taboo. The expectations around masculinity continue to discourage vulnerability. As a result, symptoms are ignored, downplayed, or never discussed at all—not with friends, not with family, and often not even with doctors.
That silence comes at a cost.
“Many patients wait longer than they should before getting checked,” says Jang. “They notice a change but dismiss it, or feel embarrassed to bring it up. That delay can affect how advanced the cancer is at diagnosis.”
Signs men miss
One of the biggest dangers is how easy early symptoms are to overlook. Testicular cancer does not always present with pain—making it easier to ignore.
Key warning signs include:
· A lump or swelling in one testicle;
· A feeling of heaviness in the scrotum;
· A dull ache in the lower abdomen or groin; and
· Sudden fluid build-up.
“These symptoms aren’t always painful,” Jang explains. “That’s why men often assume it’s nothing serious.”
Early detection does not require expensive tests or complicated procedures. One of the most effective tools is a simple monthly self-examination.
Health experts recommend that men become familiar with their bodies so they can quickly detect any changes. The process takes only a few minutes and can be done at home.
“Self-awareness is key,” says Jang. “If something changes, don’t wait. Early evaluation leads to better outcomes.” The outlook for testicular cancer is overwhelmingly positive—if caught in time.
Advances in surgery, chemotherapy and follow-up care have pushed survival rates above 95% in many cases, even when the disease has spread.
“Most patients do very well,” Jang notes. “That’s why early action is so critical.”
Changing the conversation
The real challenge is no longer medical—it is cultural. Breaking the stigma means normalising the conversation. It means encouraging men to speak openly, check regularly, and seek help without shame.
“This is a cancer that affects young men in the prime of their lives,” Jang says. “We need to make it normal to talk about it, to check, and to seek care. That shift can save lives.”
