Testicular cancer is a nightmare for young men, but at the same time it is one of the most curable oncological diagnoses. However, the key to success is time. And you literally have that in your hands.

As an oncologist, I often see patients waiting months to see a doctor because they are afraid or think that “it’s nothing.” Let’s take a look at the two most powerful tools we have in the fight against this disease and why you shouldn’t rely on one of them at home.

1. Your best weapon: Self-examination

No device can replace your own hands. Testicular cancer does not hurt (most of the time). The first symptom is almost always a palpable change—a hard lump, enlargement, or change in the consistency of the testicle.

The rule is simple:

  • Once a month: Ideally in the shower, when the skin is relaxed by warm water.
  • Technique: Gently feel each testicle between your thumb and forefinger. Look for anything that resembles a hard ball, lump, or change in shape. Also note any change in size or feeling of heaviness in one of the testicles and compare both sides – any new asymmetry is a signal to check.

If you find something, don’t panic, but see a urologist right away (or the respective 1st point of contact in your country).

2. Blood detectives: What are tumor markers?

When you go to the doctor with a suspicion (for example, after finding a lump), one of the first things they’ll do is take a blood sample. We look for traces that the tumor releases into the bloodstream. We call them tumor markers. In testicular tumors, we mainly monitor these two:

  • AFP (Alpha-fetoprotein): A substance that should not be present in the blood of an adult male (it is normally only produced by the fetus). Its presence is a strong signal of a tumor process.
  • hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin): A hormone that is best known in connection with pregnancy, but is also produced by some aggressive types of testicular tumors.

Why don’t we do blood tests on everyone as a preventive measure?

Here we come to an important fact: These tests are not used to screen healthy men.

Although they are highly sensitive for certain types of tumors, they are not reliable as a “universal filter.”

  1. False security: There are types of testicular cancer (such as pure seminomas or teratomas) that do not release these substances into the blood at all. A man may have an advanced tumor and yet have completely “clean” blood.
  2. False alarm: Elevated levels can also be caused by other, non-tumor-related factors (such as marijuana use or liver problems).

Therefore, tumor markers are only tested (findings on the testicle) when there is reasonable suspicion, not as a preventive examination.

Why not take a pregnancy test at home?

You may have heard “internet advice” that men should take pregnancy tests because they react to the hormone beta-hCG. Don’t do it.

Yes, biologically it is true that the test reacts to the same hormone produced by some tumors. But relying on this is gambling with your life.

  • Risk of error: A home test will not tell you how much hormone you have in your blood, nor will it detect other types of tumors that do not produce hCG (and there are many).
  • Time: If you get a negative test result, you may gain a false sense of security and ignore a lump that is still growing and metastasizing.

If you have any doubts, don’t go to the drugstore for a test, go to the urologist’s office. Only a combination of palpation, ultrasound, and laboratory blood tests can guarantee that no serious diagnostic errors will be made.

Don’t underestimate this. Your health is literally in your hands.

Author: Assoc. prof. Michal Chovanec, MD, PhD.