Medfem Supports Testicular Cancer Awareness Month in April: You Can Protect Your Fertility
This April, during Testicular Cancer Awareness Month, we want to raise awareness about the possibility and importance of preserving fertility before treatment begins, through expert fertility preservation solutions such as sperm freezing and testicular sperm extraction.
Table of contents
- Why Testicular Cancer Awareness Month matters
- Updated facts and statistics you should know
- Who is most at risk
- Symptoms and early detection
- Why monthly self-exams matter
- The impact of testicular cancer on fertility
- Fertility preservation before treatment
- Sperm freezing and TESE explained
- Why early specialist support matters
- Frequently asked questions
- Your next step with Medfem
Why Testicular Cancer Awareness Month Matters
April is observed internationally as Testicular Cancer Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness around one of the most common cancers affecting young men.
While many people have never heard much about it, this condition is especially important because it typically affects men during their reproductive years, making fertility support a critical part of care.
This month is not only about awareness of cancer itself. It is about understanding how early diagnosis, prompt treatment, and fertility preservation can shape a man’s future.
Updated facts and statistics you should know
Recent trusted medical data confirms that testicular cancer remains the most common cancer in men aged 15 to 45 years. This places many patients directly in the age group where starting or growing a family is top of mind.
According to current clinical reviews, the five-year survival rate exceeds 95%, particularly when the cancer is identified and treated early.
Importantly, fertility can already be affected before treatment even begins. More than half of men diagnosed with testicular cancer present with reduced sperm counts at diagnosis, which means the condition itself may already be impacting reproductive potential.
Research also shows that around 22% of men with a history of testicular cancer who wish to have children later may require assisted reproductive treatment.
These figures highlight why early fertility conversations are so important.
Who is most at risk
Testicular cancer is most commonly diagnosed in young men, but it can also occur in middle-aged and older men.
Risk factors include:
- Undescended testicle
- Abnormal testicular development
- Family history
- Previous testicular cancer
- Klinefelter syndrome
Because many patients are in their twenties and thirties, fertility is often a major concern.
Symptoms and early detection
One of the most common signs is a small, painless lump in one testicle.
Other symptoms may include:
- A feeling of heaviness in the scrotum
- A dull ache in the groin or lower abdomen
- Swelling
- Sudden fluid build-up in the scrotum
- A change in how the testicle feels
Many of these symptoms can also be linked to other conditions, which is why medical assessment is essential.
The good news is that testicular cancer is highly curable, especially when found early.
Why monthly self-exams matter
One of the simplest steps men can take is a monthly testicular self-exam (TSE).
The best time is after a warm shower or bath, when the scrotal skin is relaxed.
The process takes only a few minutes:
- examine each testicle gently
- roll between fingers and thumbs
- feel for any pea-sized lump
- note any unusual changes
If anything feels different, seek medical advice immediately.
The impact of testicular cancer on fertility
This is where the conversation moves directly into Medfem Fertility Clinic’s area of expertise.
Testicular cancer and its treatment can affect:
- sperm production
- hormone levels
- future ability to father children
Although many men retain fertility with one healthy testicle, chemotherapy, surgery, and other treatments can significantly reduce reproductive potential.
This is why fertility preservation before treatment is so important.
Fertility preservation before treatment
Before cancer treatment starts, men who may wish to father children in the future should strongly consider sperm banking.
At Medfem Fertility Clinic, we help patients quickly because cancer treatment timelines are often urgent.
We aim to assess urgent cancer-related fertility cases within 24 hours of referral, ensuring preservation happens before treatment begins wherever possible.
Sperm freezing and TESE explained
Sperm freezing remains one of the most trusted and effective methods of male fertility preservation.
Modern vitrification technology allows sperm to be frozen rapidly, preventing damage from ice crystal formation and preserving sperm quality.
Frozen sperm can be stored indefinitely, making it a highly practical option for future IVF or assisted reproductive treatment.
Where no sperm is present in the ejaculate, testicular sperm extraction (TESE) may be offered as an alternative.
This makes it possible for many men to still preserve the opportunity to father biological children later.
Why early specialist support matters
At Medfem Fertility Clinic, our highly experienced, specialist-led team supports patients with:
- urgent fertility preservation
- expert cryopreservation guidance
- personalised fertility counselling
- future reproductive planning
Our compassionate, patient-centred approach is especially important during a cancer diagnosis, where emotional strain and medical urgency often happen at the same time.
We combine specialist fertility knowledge with practical, time-sensitive support to give you the best possible chance of protecting your future family plans.
Frequently asked questions
Can testicular cancer affect fertility?
Yes. Both the cancer itself and its treatment can affect sperm production and hormone levels.
Should I freeze sperm before cancer treatment?
Yes, this is often strongly recommended before treatment begins.
Is testicular cancer curable?
Yes. It has a very high survival rate, especially when detected early.
What if there is no sperm in the semen sample?
A procedure such as TESE may be considered.
Your next step with Medfem
At Medfem Fertility Clinic we believe in helping you reach your family dream through:
- world-class fertility care
- a positive fertility journey
- empathy, compassion, and support
If you would like to meet one of our fertility specialists, simply click here: [Book Here]
or contact us telephonically on +27 (11) 463 2244
Our Fertility Specialists can also meet with you during a virtual consultation via Zoom or Skype: [Book Here]
We look forward to meeting you at Medfem Fertility Clinic.
Medical Data Sources Consulted:
Testicular Cancer
Author: StatPearls Publishing / NCBI Bookshelf (updated clinical review)
Summary: A comprehensive peer-reviewed clinical review covering epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of testicular cancer. Confirms that testicular cancer is the most common malignancy in men aged 15 to 45 and reports a five-year survival rate exceeding 95%, especially with early diagnosis and treatment.
URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563159/
Fertility considerations in men with testicular cancer
Author: Niels Trost Larsen, Martin B. Høyer, and colleagues (Translational Andrology and Urology)
Summary: Peer-reviewed clinical review discussing how testicular cancer and its treatment affect male fertility. Includes data showing that more than half of men present with reduced sperm counts at diagnosis and that approximately 22% of men who wish to have children later may require assisted reproductive treatment.
URL: https://tau.amegroups.org/article/view/28554/html
Fertility Considerations in Men with Testicular Cancer
Author: Niels Trost Larsen et al.
Summary: Peer-reviewed review focused on how testicular cancer and its treatment affect male fertility. Includes evidence that more than half of men may present with reduced sperm counts at diagnosis and that approximately 22% may later require assisted reproductive treatment.
URL: https://tau.amegroups.org/article/view/28554/html
CANSA Fact Sheet on Testicular Cancer (Updated NCR 2023, July 2025)
Author: CANSA
Summary: Updated CANSA fact sheet with more recent registry and review data, confirming that testicular cancer remains the most common malignancy in males aged 15–40 years and reports a cumulative 10-year survival rate above 90%.
URL: https://cansa.org.za/files/2025/08/CANSA-Fact-Sheet-on-Testicular-Cancer-NCR-2023-web-July-2025.pdf
Testicular Cancer Awareness and Men’s Health Overview
Author: Men’s Health Network
Summary: Awareness-focused educational document covering symptoms, prevalence, risk factors, and the importance of self-examination and early detection in young men, particularly within reproductive age groups.
URL: https://menshealthnetwork.org/lib.php?d=tca.pdf
