Screening for testicular cancer
There is no national screening programme for testicular cancer in the UK.
Screening means testing people for early stages of a disease before they have any symptoms. For screening to be useful the tests:
- need to be reliable at picking up cancers
- overall must do more good than harm to people taking part
- must be something that people are willing to do
Screening tests are not perfect and have some risks. The screening programme should also be good value for money for the NHS.
Why is there no screening for testicular cancer in the UK?
There is no national screening programme because:
- this condition is rare, so many people would have unnecessary tests
- the benefits don't outweigh the costs
The main potential benefit of screening is saving lives from cancer. There isn't any research to show whether or not regular screening lowers the risk of dying from testicular cancer. Doctors can usually cure testicular cancer even when it is diagnosed a late stage. So screening might not be as beneficial as it is for other cancer types.
But finding testicular cancer early can make it easier to treat. It might mean you need less chemotherapy or surgery.
Should I check my testicles?
Checking yourself for cancer is different to cancer screening.
It’s a good idea to know what your testicles usually look and feel like. And to be aware of their normal size and weight. This can make it easier to spot unusual changes, which you should always let your doctor know about.
But you don't need to check yourself at a set time or in a set way. There isn't a specific way of self checking that has overall proven benefits.
What to do if you think you’re at risk
Talk to your GP if you think you are at higher than average risk of testicular cancer.
Your GP can talk to you about what you can do to find testicular cancer early. This includes checking your testicles for lumps and swellings, or any other changes.
