Health education for testicular cancer.

The incidence of testicular cancer is rapidly increasing. It is highly curable when detected and treated early, yet 500 to 1,000 men die from this cancer each year. Most victims are young men whose deaths account for a large number of potential years of life lost. Risk factors for testicular cancer are known but they cannot account for the increase in incidence. Only one age group, men between 15 and 34 years, is currently exhibiting an increase in incidence and mortality and should therefore comprise the primary at-risk group. Health education for the at-risk group, including promotion of regular and accurate testicular self-examination (TSE), could lead to earlier tumor detection and treatment and thereby save lives.