Screening check
Should I be screened for testicular cancer?
Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in young men, but it is still rare and usually curable. The US Preventive Services Task Force looked at whether males without symptoms should be screened by a clinician exam or self-exam. Check what it says for you.
About you
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What you will see
What the USPSTF says about testicular cancer screening for you.
Educational only, not medical advice. See a clinician about any lump, swelling or pain.
Source
US Preventive Services Task Force, April 2011 reaffirmation of its recommendation on screening for testicular cancer.
Validated in
Adolescent and adult males without symptoms.
Limits
It is not a test and cannot tell whether you have testicular cancer. It does not cover people with a lump, swelling or pain, and the USPSTF did not review people with an undescended testicle.
What the USPSTF recommends
| Who | Recommendation | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Adolescent and adult males without symptoms | Do not screen for testicular cancer, by clinician exam or self-exam | D |
The 2011 statement reaffirms the USPSTF recommendation against screening adolescent or adult males for testicular cancer by clinician examination or patient self-examination (USPSTF 2011). It did not review the evidence for males with a history of an undescended testicle (cryptorchidism) (USPSTF 2011).
Why it matters
Testicular cancer is the most common cancer among males aged 15 to 34. At about 5.4 new cases per 100,000 males a year, it is still rare compared with other cancers (USPSTF 2011). Treatment is removal of the affected testicle, sometimes with other surgery, radiation or chemotherapy depending on the stage and type. Whatever the stage, more than 90% of newly diagnosed cases are cured (USPSTF 2011).
Why screening does not help
Most testicular cancers are found by chance by patients or their partners. There is not enough evidence that exams by a clinician or by yourself find cancer at earlier, more curable stages, and their accuracy in people without symptoms is unknown (USPSTF 2011). Because the cancer is rare and cure rates are high even when it is advanced, screening is unlikely to bring a real health benefit. Possible harms include false alarms, anxiety and harms from follow-up tests or procedures (USPSTF 2011).
Common questions
Should I do monthly self-exams?
The USPSTF recommends against self-examination as a screening routine for people without symptoms (USPSTF 2011). That is different from noticing a change: if you find a lump, swelling or pain, see a clinician.
Do other groups agree?
In the 2011 statement, the USPSTF noted that the American Academy of Family Physicians also recommends against routine screening, and that the American Academy of Pediatrics does not include it in its preventive care advice (USPSTF 2011).
Also see the prostate cancer screening check, the skin cancer prevention check, the chlamydia and gonorrhea screening check and all screening tests by age.
Sources
- US Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for Testicular Cancer: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Reaffirmation Recommendation Statement. Ann Intern Med. 2011;154(7):483-486. www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/testicular-cancer-screening
Written and maintained by the uncovermyrisk.com editorial team. We do not have a medical reviewer; every claim links to its primary source above. Last reviewed: 2026-10-30. Spotted an error? See About.