But too often the cancerous lumps are not discovered until the tumor is in an advanced stage. A monthly testicular self-exam can help detect lumps early in their most treatable stages. The cause of testicular cancer is unknown, but it most often occurs in the testes sperm-producing cells. Early symptoms include swelling or pain in the testicle and sometimes pain or discomfort.
White men have four times the risk of blacks of developing testicular cancer.
Men whose testicles are undescended or descended late are at higher risk. Doctors have found a positive correlation between hernia and testicular cancer at an early age, but the link is still under study. Pay special attention to testicular self-examination. Any male 15 or older should practice monthly testicular self-exam. The test takes only a few ntinutes and is easy to do.