About Testicular Cancer Awareness Week 2026

Testicular Cancer Awareness Week takes place from 1 to 7 April each year, marking the opening of Testicular Cancer Awareness Month. The week serves as a focused campaign to educate men and boys about the signs and symptoms of testicular cancer, the importance of regular self-examination, and the high survival rates associated with early detection. Organisations including the Testicular Cancer Society, the Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation, and The Urology Foundation lead awareness efforts during this period.

What is Testicular Cancer Awareness Week?

Testicular Cancer Awareness Week is a dedicated health awareness campaign that runs annually during the first week of April. It aims to break down the stigma and embarrassment that often prevents young men from checking themselves or seeking medical advice. The week brings together charities, healthcare providers, and community organisations to spread the message that testicular cancer is the most common cancer in men aged 15 to 44 — and that when caught early, it is one of the most treatable forms of cancer. Key organisations behind the campaign include the Testicular Cancer Society, the Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation (TCAF), and in the UK, The Urology Foundation and the charity Orchid.

When is Testicular Cancer Awareness Week?

Testicular Cancer Awareness Week falls on 1 to 7 April every year, with the dates remaining fixed. In 2026, it runs from Wednesday, 1 April to Tuesday, 7 April. The week also marks the beginning of Testicular Cancer Awareness Month, which continues throughout the whole of April.

Why Testicular Cancer Awareness Week Matters

Around 2,400 men are diagnosed with testicular cancer in the UK each year, according to Cancer Research UK. Globally, incidence rates have been rising steadily in many Western countries over the past several decades, though survival rates have improved dramatically. In the UK, the ten-year survival rate now stands at 96.5%, making testicular cancer one of the most survivable cancers — provided it is detected early. Despite this, many young men remain unaware of the symptoms or feel too embarrassed to check themselves regularly.

The disease most commonly affects males between the ages of 15 and 45, with nearly half of all UK diagnoses occurring in men under 35. Unlike many other cancers, testicular cancer strikes during some of the most productive years of a man’s life, affecting education, careers, relationships, and family planning. Awareness campaigns during this week play a critical role in normalising conversations about testicular health and encouraging men to take a few minutes each month to perform a simple self-examination. If you are interested in broader men’s health topics, Men’s Health Week in June is another important date in the calendar.

How to Get Involved in Testicular Cancer Awareness Week

There are many ways to support Testicular Cancer Awareness Week, whether you are an individual, a workplace, or a community group:

• Learn how to self-examine — The most important action any man can take is learning how to check himself. The best time is during or just after a warm bath or shower, when the scrotal skin is relaxed. Using both hands, gently roll each testicle between your thumbs and fingers, feeling for any hard lumps, swelling, or changes in size or shape. It takes less than two minutes.
• Share information on social media — Use the hashtags #TesticularCancerAwareness and #CheckYourself to spread the word. Organisations such as the Testicular Cancer Society run creative digital campaigns — including their acclaimed “Most Checked Balls On Earth” social media initiative — to reach younger audiences.
• Talk to the men in your life — Whether you are a parent, partner, friend, or colleague, starting a conversation about testicular health can make a real difference. Many men report that they only learned about self-checking because someone they trusted brought it up.
• Organise a workplace awareness session — Contact charities like The Urology Foundation, Orchid, or the Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation to request educational materials, posters, or speaker sessions for your workplace or university.
• Fundraise for testicular cancer charities — Organise a sponsored event, bake sale, or challenge to raise funds for research and support services. The Testicular Cancer Society, TCAF, and Movember all accept donations year-round.
• Wear the awareness ribbon — The orchid or purple ribbon is associated with testicular cancer awareness. Wearing one during the week helps signal your support and can spark conversations.
• Encourage GP visits — If you or someone you know notices any changes, book a GP appointment promptly. Early referral to a specialist can make the difference between a straightforward treatment and a more complex one.

How to Perform a Testicular Self-Examination

Regular self-examination is the single most effective way to detect testicular cancer early. Medical professionals recommend checking once a month. Here is a step-by-step guide based on guidance from Johns Hopkins Medicine, the NHS, and the Testicular Cancer Foundation:

• Choose the right time — Examine yourself during or immediately after a warm bath or shower. The heat relaxes the scrotum, making it easier to feel for abnormalities.
• Stand in front of a mirror — Look for any visible swelling or changes to the scrotal skin.
• Examine one testicle at a time — Hold the testicle between your thumbs and fingers with both hands, and roll it gently. The testicle should feel smooth and firm, but not hard.
• Locate the epididymis — This is the soft, tube-like structure at the back of each testicle. It is normal and should not be mistaken for a lump.
• Know what to look for — Any hard lump (usually painless and pea-sized), swelling, change in size or shape, or a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum should be reported to a doctor. It is normal for one testicle to be slightly larger or hang lower than the other.

History of Testicular Cancer Awareness Week

Testicular cancer awareness efforts gained momentum in the United States during the late 1990s and early 2000s, driven by advocacy groups and cancer survivors. The Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation (TCAF) was established to promote education about the disease, particularly among younger men who are at the highest risk. April was designated as Testicular Cancer Awareness Month, with the first week of the month — 1 to 7 April — serving as a concentrated awareness push.

A pivotal moment in the history of testicular cancer treatment came in 1974, when Dr Lawrence Einhorn at Indiana University introduced cisplatin-based chemotherapy for testicular cancer. Before this breakthrough, the disease had a mortality rate of over 90% in advanced cases. Einhorn’s protocol transformed testicular cancer into one of the most curable solid tumours, with cure rates exceeding 95% for early-stage disease. This medical milestone underpins the central message of awareness campaigns: early detection saves lives.

High-profile survivors have also helped raise the profile of testicular cancer awareness. Cyclist Lance Armstrong’s public battle with the disease in the late 1990s brought global attention, while in the UK, charities like Orchid (founded in 1996) and Orchid’s Male Cancer Awareness Week in September have helped normalise discussions around male cancers. Today, awareness week campaigns span social media, schools, universities, workplaces, and sports clubs worldwide.

Noteworthy Facts About Testicular Cancer

• Testicular cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men aged 15 to 44 in the UK and many other developed countries.
• Around 2,400 new cases are diagnosed in the UK each year, with approximately 70 deaths annually — a testament to high survival rates when treated promptly.
• The ten-year survival rate for testicular cancer in the UK is 96.5%, according to Cancer Research UK.
• Dr Lawrence Einhorn’s cisplatin-based chemotherapy protocol, introduced in 1974, transformed the disease from frequently fatal to highly curable.
• The Testicular Cancer Society’s “Most Checked Balls On Earth” social media campaign reached over 2 million people across 21 countries without any paid media spend.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Testicular Cancer Awareness Week?

Testicular Cancer Awareness Week is an annual health campaign held from 1 to 7 April. It promotes education about testicular cancer symptoms, encourages regular self-examination, and highlights the importance of early detection for successful treatment.

When is Testicular Cancer Awareness Week in 2026?

Testicular Cancer Awareness Week 2026 runs from Wednesday, 1 April to Tuesday, 7 April 2026. The dates are fixed each year.

What are the main symptoms of testicular cancer?

The most common symptom is a painless lump or swelling on a testicle. Other signs include a change in the size or shape of a testicle, a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum, or a dull ache in the lower abdomen or groin. If you notice any of these, see a doctor promptly — most lumps are not cancerous, but early investigation is essential.

Who is most at risk of testicular cancer?

Men aged 15 to 44 are at the highest risk. Other risk factors include a family history of testicular cancer, an undescended testicle (cryptorchidism), and a previous diagnosis in the other testicle. White men have a higher incidence rate than men of other ethnic backgrounds, though the reasons for this are not fully understood.

Spread the Word

Help raise awareness by sharing Testicular Cancer Awareness Week with your friends, family, and followers. Use the hashtags #TesticularCancerAwareness and #CheckYourself2026 on social media. The more people who know about the importance of self-examination, the more lives can be saved through early detection.

Related Awareness Days

• Bowel Cancer Awareness Month — Also held throughout April, this campaign raises awareness of the UK’s fourth most common cancer and the importance of screening.
• Movember — The global men’s health movement each November, tackling prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health through fundraising and conversation.
• Orchid Male Cancer Awareness Week — Run by the UK charity Orchid each September, this week highlights testicular, prostate, and penile cancers.

Links

• Visit the Testicular Cancer Society website
• Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation (TCAF)
• The Urology Foundation
• Cancer Research UK — Testicular Cancer Statistics
• Explore more awareness days at AwarenessDays.com

Upcoming Awareness Days

2 AprNational Burrito Day

2 AprWorld Autism Acceptance Week 2026

2 AprWorld Autism Awareness Day 2026

2 AprNational Peanut Butter and Jelly Day 2026

2 AprInternational Children’s Book Day 2026

2 AprPassover (Pesach) 2026