Men's Health November 5, 2025 0 Comments

The Silent Alarm: Uncover the Hidden Early Signs of Testicular Cancer Every Man Risks Ignoring

Ever stopped to think just how well you really know your own body? I mean, we all obsess over those biceps or abs in the mirror, but what about the quieter players—like your testicles? Yep, those little guys deserve some attention too. Getting cozy with how your testicles look and feel isn’t just about curiosity—it’s a legit health move. Believe it or not, changes down there can be early whispers of something serious, like testicular cancer. This type of cancer tends to show up mostly in younger men, typically between 20 and 39 years old. Think about that for a second—it’s a bit alarming but knowing is power! The silver lining? Testicular cancer is one of the most treatable cancers when caught early. So, if you or your partner notice anything unusual, don’t brush it off. Stick around as we dive into what signs to watch for, how to do a proper self-exam, and when to get that crucial check-up. Trust me, it’s a conversation worth having. LEARN MORE

It’s good to be familiar with your body – how it looks and feels. This applies to every part of you, including your testicles. In fact, knowing how your testicles normally look and feel is really important to your health.

That’s because changes in your testicles can be a sign of more serious medical conditions, including testicular cancer. Testicular cancer isn’t common, but what’s interesting about this disease is that it’s usually found in younger men between the ages of 20 and 39. Boys (including infants) and older men can also get testicular cancer, but it’s not as likely. While no one wants to think about cancer, the good news is that testicular cancer is highly treatable, especially when found early.

Read on to learn about testicular cancer symptoms every man should know about. Plus, find out how to look for testicular changes and what to do if you (or your partner) notice a change down there.

Early symptoms of testicular cancer include changes to the look and feel of the testicles

One of the main roles of the testicles is to produce sperm. We’re bringing this up because most testicular cancers begin in the sperm-producing cells, called germ cells. When these cells grow abnormally and turn into cancer, they can cause changes in the testicles and scrotum (the sac of skin that holds the testicles).

Below, we cover early symptoms of testicular cancer, but keep in mind that injuries or infections that affect the testicles can cause similar changes. If you notice symptoms, try not to assume the worst. Instead, make an appointment with a primary care doctor or clinician to learn what’s causing your symptoms and what treatment makes sense.

A lump on the testicle

A small lump is often the first noticeable sign of testicular cancer. At first the lump might be as small as a pea, but it can grow larger over time. Usually, lumps caused by testicular cancer don’t hurt, which is why they’re easy to overlook. If you feel a lump or any unusual firmness, it’s important to get it checked by a doctor, even if it’s not painful.

Changes in the look and feel of the testicles and scrotum

One of the earliest signs of testicular cancer can be a change in appearance of the testicles or scrotum. You might notice that one testicle seems larger, firmer or shaped differently than the other. As a reminder, testicles are usually a little smaller than a golf ball in adult men, but everyone’s a bit different. Also, it’s common for testicles to be of different sizes and for one to hang lower than the other, which is one reason why it’s so important that you know what’s normal for you.

A heavy feeling in the scrotum

Testicular cancer can make your scrotum feel heavy, as if something is weighing or dragging it down. This can happen if fluid builds up inside the scrotum or if the testicles change in size or firmness. You can have this feeling even if there’s no visible changes to your testicle or scrotum.

A dull pain or feeling of pressure in the lower belly or groin

Testicular cancer can cause a dull ache or pressure in the lower abdomen or groin area. This discomfort may come and go or feel constant, and it’s usually not sharp. You may feel tightness or soreness before noticing any changes in the testicle.

Breast growth or soreness

Breast growth or soreness in men can sometimes be a sign of testicular cancer, although it’s more commonly caused by other conditions. When related to testicular cancer, these symptoms are usually due to tumors producing elevated levels of hormones, such as human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) or estrogen.

Early puberty in boys

Early puberty in boys, especially in boys younger than 9, can sometimes be a sign of a hormone-producing testicular tumor, though other causes are more likely. Some tumors (such as Leydig cells tumors) may release extra testosterone, causing facial hair, a deeper voice or enlarged genitals.

Symptoms of more advanced testicular cancer can affect different parts of your body

If testicular cancer goes unnoticed or untreated, it can spread and cause symptoms in other parts of the body. How quickly it spreads depends on the type of testicular cancer. Some types grow slowly, while others can move through the body more quickly. The good news is that even if testicular cancer spreads, it’s still very treatable.

Lower back pain is often the first sign of later stage testicular cancer

When testicular cancer starts to spread, it usually reaches the lymph nodes in the lower back first.

Lymph nodes are tiny, bean-shaped structures that help your body fight infections. When cancer affects them, they can swell and press on nearby nerves, causing pain. If your back pain is related to testicular cancer, it may feel like a dull ache in the lower back that doesn’t go away with rest or typical pain relief.

The cause of chronic back pain is much more likely to be something else. Still, if you have back pain along with other symptoms of testicular cancer, it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible.

Other signs that the cancer may have spread beyond the testicles

The following are signs that testicular cancer may have spread from the testicles to other parts of the body. Make a doctor’s appointment if you have any of these symptoms:

Swollen legs – One or both legs may look puffy or feel heavy. Sudden leg swelling may be the result of a blocked lymph node, and you should see a doctor immediately, especially if it’s painful.
Belly pain or bloating – You may feel a sense of fullness, pressure or pain in the belly if the cancer has spread to lymph nodes or the liver.
Lung symptoms – If the cancer spreads to the lungs, it can cause symptoms like shortness of breath, chest pain or a cough (even coughing up blood).
Headaches or confusion – Rarely, testicular cancer can spread to the brain, causing symptoms such as headaches, confusion, vision changes and poor coordination.
Fatigue and unexplained weight loss – Cancer affects metabolism and energy levels. It can make you feel physically weak and tired all the time. You may also lose weight without trying.

Who’s most likely to get testicular cancer: Risk factors to know about

There are a few risk factors that can make it more likely that you’ll develop testicular cancer. Having said that, many people who get testicular cancer don’t have risk factors.

Undescended testicle (cryptorchidism)

If you have cryptorchidism, it means that one or both of your testicles didn’t move from the abdomen (belly) into the scrotum before birth. Having this condition can make it much more likely that you’ll develop testicular cancer (usually in the undescended testicle). Surgery is often used to correct cryptorchidism, but it’s not clear how much it reduces the risk of testicular cancer.

Race and ethnicity

White, Indigenous American and Alaska Native men are several times more likely to get testicular cancer than African American, Asian American and Pacific Islander men.

Family history

You may wonder, is testicular cancer hereditary? Having a father or brother with testicular cancer increases the risk that you will get it too. Still, most men with testicular cancer don’t have a family history of the disease.

HIV infection

Having an HIV infection, especially if it’s progressed to AIDS, can slightly increase your risk of developing testicular cancer. This is because HIV affects the immune system, which normally helps the body detect and destroy abnormal cells before they turn into cancer. When the immune system is weakened, it may not catch these changes early. Fortunately, with current HIV treatments, this risk is lower than it used to be.

Having abnormal cells in a testicle (carcinoma in situ)

Carcinoma in situ (also called germ cell neoplasia in situ) is a rare risk factor. It means there are abnormal, noninvasive cells within the testicle. These cells are considered precancerous and it’s possible that they may turn into cancer if left untreated. Carcinoma in situ doesn’t cause symptoms and is usually found if you have testing for another reason, such as infertility or an undescended testicle.

Cancer in the other testicle

If you had cancer in one testicle, you’re more likely to get it in the other.

How to keep an eye out for testicular changes

Chances are that you (or your partner) will notice changes in your testicles without trying to. But doing testicular self-exams may help you find changes early. Some doctors recommend starting monthly self-exams at age 15, but it’s your choice whether or not you want to.

Here’s how to do a testicular self-exam

Time it right – The best time for a self-exam is during or after a bath or shower since warm water helps relax the scrotum.
Look for changes – Hold your penis out of the way and examine each testicle separately for changes since your last self-exam. It’s normal for one testicle to be slightly larger or hang lower than the other, but if things have changed since your last self-exam, you should make a doctor’s appointment.
Roll with it – Gently roll each testicle between your thumb and fingers. You’re feeling for any lumps, swelling or changes in size or firmness. It’s normal to feel a soft, rope-like structure behind each testicle. This is the epididymis, a coiled tube that stores and carries sperm.

Know what’s normal for you and when to get help

Testicles are an important part of men’s health. So, make sure to know what’s normal for you and schedule an appointment with your primary care doctor or clinician if anything seems off.

During the appointment, your doctor will start with a physical exam. They’ll feel the testicles for lumps, swelling and tenderness, and likely examine other parts of your body. Depending on your symptoms, they may recommend blood tests or imaging tests (like X-rays or ultrasound) to create pictures of the inside of your body.

If you don’t have a primary care doctor, it’s a great time to find one who’ll meet your needs. At HealthPartners, we have hundreds of award-winning primary care doctors to choose from.