TESTICULAR CANCER: THIS ONE-MINUTE EXAM IS UNKNOWN TO MANY YOUNG MEN

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TESTICULAR CANCER: THIS ONE-MINUTE EXAM IS UNKNOWN TO MANY YOUNG MEN





Most Americans mistakenly believe that testicular cancer is a risk for older men, but the reality is different: it strikes men between 20 and 40 most often. According to a new Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center survey, early detection makes all the difference, but confusion about symptoms and screening is still widespread.

Testicular cancer affects nearly 10,000 adults in the U.S. every year, yet only 13% of adults surveyed correctly identified that it’s most common in men under 40. Even more telling, two-thirds of respondents thought screenings are only necessary after age 40, when doctors say self-exams matter most for men in their twenties and thirties.

Dr. Shawn Dason, a urologic oncologist at OSUCCC – James, isn’t surprised by the confusion. “A lot of young men don’t expect to face something like this in their twenties or thirties,” he said. “They’re focused on their careers or everyday life, not their health.”

The survey, which included 1,008 adults, did show some awareness: 63% knew testicular cancer can often be cured if caught early, and 54% recognized that monthly self-exams are recommended.

“We’re lucky that most cases are found early, before the cancer can spread,” Dr. Dason added. And that’s crucial, since early-stage testicular cancer is highly treatable.

Younger adults were more likely than older respondents to know that testicular cancer can impact fertility. Still, they were also more likely to think that symptoms are always painful—a misconception that could lead to dangerous delays. “Testicular cancer usually isn’t painful,” Dason explained. “That’s why self-exams are so important. Feel for any lumps or changes in size, and if anything seems off, talk to your doctor right away.”

About the Survey

SSRS ran the survey using its Opinion Panel Omnibus from May 2–5, 2025, polling 1,008 U.S. adults online and by phone. The margin of error is +/—3.6 percentage points.

For more on cancer care and clinical trials at Ohio State, visit cancer.osu.edu or call 1-800-293-5066.

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