Early-onset colorectal cancer — that is, colorectal cancer under the age of 50 — is on the rise, but the disease remains most common in adults over 50.
Prostate cancer, too, tends to plague older adults, with men 65 and over most likely to get a diagnosis.
But there is a cancer that’s more common in younger men — and most have no idea that they’re more at risk, a new survey has revealed.
About 10,000 men in the US develop testicular cancer every year. While that number is not terribly high, it may be surprising to learn that it’s highest prevalence is in men between 20 and 40, with 33 being the average age of first diagnosis.
Only about 8% of cases occur in men over 55, according to the American Cancer Society.
News to you? You’re not alone: Just 13% of American adults are aware that testicular cancer is more likely to affect younger men, according to a survey commissioned by The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center — Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute
“In my experience, a lot of men are surprised that testicular cancer is most common among young men,” said Shawn Dason, MD, urologic oncologist at the OSUCCC – James.
“It’s something you’re just not expecting in your twenties or thirties. A lot of young men’s focus might be on developing their career, their day-to-day life. That’s a very different track of mind than perhaps your health.”
Fortunately, it’s also very curable: Testicular cancer has a 95% five-year survival rate.
“We are really fortunate in testicular cancer that the vast majority of patients are diagnosed at an early stage,” Dason added.
“That means the vast majority of patients are actually diagnosed before the cancer has had an opportunity to spread to other parts of the body.”
Dason noted that testicular cancer doesn’t usually have painful symptoms, stressing that that’s why routine self-exams are so important.
“If you feel something out of the ordinary, like a lump or bump, or if the testicle changes in size, call your doctor,” he said.
Fortunately, the survey also found that 54% of men know they should be doing monthly self-checks — though they didn’t indicate how many of these men are actually doing them.
How to do a testicular self-exam
The Testicular Cancer Foundation recommends performing these checks monthly following a warm shower, since heat will relax the scrotal skin and make the testicles easier to examine.
First, while standing up, look at your scrotum to check for swelling or changes in appearance. It’s OK if your testicles are slightly different sizes or hang at different lengths — what you’re looking for are changes from previous self-exams.
Next, feel your scrotum and locate each testicle, one at time. Use your fingers and thumb to feel them, checking for lumps and bumps, or changes in size, shape, or consistency.
A healthy testicle is smooth, firm, and shaped like an oval. You may also feel the epididymis, a soft, rope-like structure on the top and back.
Soreness or pain should also be noted, as should differences in testicle weight or feelings of heaviness.
If you noticed any lumps or changes from your from last exam, make an appointment with your doctor. They may send you for an ultrasound or blood test.
