Survey Reveals Only 13 Percent Know Testicular Cancer Hits Men Under 40

A new national survey commissioned by The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center reveals significant gaps in public awareness around testicular cancer, a disease that affects nearly 10,000 American men annually, according to the American Cancer Society.

The findings suggest that more education is needed, especially for younger men, as only 13% of U.S. adults correctly identified that testicular cancer most commonly affects men under the age of 40. In reality, the disease is most prevalent in men between 20 and 40- precisely the group that tends to overlook the risk.

Conducted by SSRS through its Opinion Panel Omnibus platform, the survey included 1,008 respondents aged 18 and older. Data was collected via web (n=978) and phone (n=30), with results weighted to reflect the U.S. adult population.

“In my experience, a lot of men are surprised that testicular cancer is most common among young men,” said Dr. Shawn Dason, urologic oncologist at OSUCCC - James. “It's something you're just not expecting in your twenties or thirties.”

While encouragingly, 63% of respondents knew that testicular cancer is often curable if detected early, only 54% recognized the importance of monthly self-checks. Alarmingly, 65% believed screenings were primarily necessary after age 40, highlighting a disconnect between public perception and medical guidance.

Younger adults (ages 18–29 and 30–49) were more likely to recognize that testicular cancer can impact fertility. However, 18% of those aged 18–29 incorrectly believed symptoms are always painful. “Testicular cancer does not typically come with painful symptoms,” Dr. Dason explained. “That’s why routine self-exams are so important to detect any lumps or changes.”

Reference: Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. "Only 13 % know: The one-minute self-exam that could save young men’s lives." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 16 June 2025.