Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in men ages 15 to 34. The most typical sign of this cancer is a lump or swelling in the testicle, according to the National Cancer Institute. Some men also experience dull discomfort or heaviness in their scrotum.

 

The good news? Testicular cancer is relatively rare, with new cases occurring in just 0.5 percent of the population, or about 8,720 men in the United States in 2016. Moreover,

approximately 95 percent of men diagnosed with the disease are cured.

 

To find testicular cancer early, when it can be removed by surgery alone, it’s recommended that men perform a self-exam once a month to check for lumps, bumps or unusual features. A warm shower will relax the scrotum and the muscles holding the testicles, making an exam easier. Men who find something abnormal should see their doctor as soon as possible.

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For more on testicular cancer and how to perform a self-exam, visit the Johns Hopkins Medicine Health Library: hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/