Got an idea for a holiday? Send it to us

Submit Now

April1–7

Testicular Cancer Awareness Week – April 1-7, 2024

Testicular Cancer Awareness Week is observed from April 1 to 7 every year to raise awareness about testicular cancer and educate young men about early detection and treatment. Did you know that the cure for testicular cancer was developed in 1974, close to 50 years ago? Testicular cancer is a form of cancer that occurs in a part of the male reproductive system, the testicles. Its symptoms include a lump in the testicle or swelling or pain in the scrotum. Testicular cancer mainly develops in young men between 20-35 years old. This form of cancer is highly treatable and curable, with a 90% chance of success if detected early.

History of Testicular Cancer Awareness Week

The earliest mentions of cancer were found in the “Edwin Smith Papyrus,” dating back to about 1600 B.C. The manuscript detailed cases of tumors or ulcers of the breast and how they were treated by cauterization, but the word ‘cancer’ was not used.

Between 460 — 370 B.C., it was Hippocrates who first referred to the disease using the term ‘carcinos’ and ‘carcinoma,’ which means ‘crab’ or ‘crayfish’ in Greek. Hippocrates used these terms because of the “finger-like spreading projections from cancer called to mind the shape of a crab.” Celsus (28 B.C. — 50 A.D.), a Roman physician, later translated carcinos into the Latin word for crab or crayfish — cancer. Reserving the word ‘carcinos’ for malignant tumors, the Greek physician Galen instead used ‘oncos’ to refer to all tumors. It was from this word that the word ‘oncology’ was derived.

As the populace generally accepted the practice of medically dissecting human bodies in the 16th and 17th centuries, various scientists began making discoveries into the causes of cancer. The Scottish surgeon John Hunter was the first to suggest that some cancers might be cured by surgery. In 1775, the British surgeon Percivall Pott identified the first cause of cancer.

In 1913, the American Cancer Society was founded in New York City by 15 physicians and businessmen. Fifty-eight years later, the United States declared war on cancer by introducing the National Cancer Act of 1971.

In 1973, a medical oncologist at Indiana University, Lawrence H. Einhorn, tested and discovered the cure for testicular cancer. This remarkable achievement was followed by the development of a nerve-sparing surgical technique by Dr. Donohue in the 1980s. The method allowed diagnosed men to maintain quality of life and, often, their reproductive capabilities.

Testicular Cancer Awareness Week timeline

1600 B.C.
The First Cases of Cancer

The ancient Egyptian physicians treat cases of breast tumors by cauterization.

25 B.C. — 50 A.D.
The Term ‘Cancer’ is Born

Celsus translates ‘carcinos’ (the former name of the disease) into ‘cancer,’ the Latin word for crab or crayfish.

1775
The First Cause of Testicular Cancer

The British surgeon Percivall Pott demonstrates how environmental carcinogen causes testicular cancer.

1973
The Cure

Lawrence H. Einhorn tests and discovers the cure for testicular cancer.

Testicular Cancer Awareness Week FAQs

What color ribbon is worn for testicular cancer?

The ribbon colors officially recognized globally for testicular cancer awareness are orchid, purple, and violet.

What are the five warning signs of testicular cancer?

The warning signs of testicular cancer include a painless lump or swelling on either testicle, dull ache in the lower abdomen or groin, buildup of fluid in the scrotum, feeling of heaviness in the scrotum, swelling of one or both legs, and lower back pain or shortness of breath.

Can you live a normal life after testicular cancer?

It is highly possible to live a normal life after testicular cancer if the proper medical team is in place. The team would help you create a survivorship care plan and treatments and diet to prevent cancer from developing again.

How to Observe Testicular Cancer Awareness Week

  1. Check yourself

    The best thing you can do during Testicular Cancer Awareness Week if you are a man, especially between the ages of 15 to 35, is to examine yourself for changes in your testicles. You can check yourself by feeling each of your testicles using both hands, rolling the testicles between your thumb and fingers for inspection, and feeling them for lumps, bumps, and changes in size.

  2. Support testicular cancer research

    Testicular cancer research allows medical professionals to discover the causes of testicular cancer and develop an effective treatment for the disease. You can support this cause and help increase the testicular cancer survival rate by donating 10 to 100 dollars to a reputable cancer research facility. You can also organize fundraising for cancer research at your school or workplace.

  3. Educate young men about testicular cancer

    If you are knowledgeable about testicular cancer, you can use Testicular Cancer Awareness Week to educate men around you about the disease. That can be at your workplace, school, or using your social media platform. If you are a charitable organization, you can organize a week-long awareness campaign either physically or online to educate young men in your community about the signs and symptoms of testicular cancer and how they can detect it early.

5 Mind-blowing Facts About Testicular Cancer

  1. It’s found primarily in young men

    Testicular cancer is most common in young men between the ages of 15 to 35 years.

  2. It’s discovered mainly through self-examination

    Regularly examining your testicles for any lumps, nodules, or changes is one of the most effective ways to discover testicular cancer.

  3. Testicular cancer has two main types

    The main types of testicular cancer are seminoma and nonseminoma.

  4. Surgery is usually the first treatment option

    The patient first undergoes surgery to remove the cancerous cells and the testicle.

  5. It has a high survival rate

    In the U.S., 95% of men who detected testicular cancer early in its development have a high chance of living five years past their diagnosis.

Why Testicular Cancer Awareness Week is Important

  1. It increases the testicular cancer survival rate

    Testicular Cancer Awareness Week provides an opportunity for medical professionals and interested parties to sensitize men on testicular cancer, including the signs and symptoms and how to self-examine themselves. These allow men to detect testicular cancer early, thereby increasing their chances of surviving the disease.

  2. It promotes healthier lifestyle choices

    While the leading causes of testicular cancer are still largely unknown, some risk factors are associated with the disease. Knowing the right lifestyle choices to make can help reduce the risk of testicular cancer.

  3. It’s a week of solidarity

    This week allows people to show comradeship to young men going through a case of testicular cancer or experiencing the outcome of testicular cancer. People can show solidarity by wearing the purple testicular cancer ribbon or t-shirts or celebrating their courage on social media.

Testicular Cancer Awareness Week dates

YearDateDay
2024April 1Monday
2025April 1Tuesday
2026April 1Wednesday
2027April 1Thursday
2028April 1Saturday
Be Kind to Spiders Week
Blue Ribbon Week
Golden Rule Week
International Pooper Scooper Week
Laugh at Work Week
Medication Safety Week
National Bake Week
National Cancer Registrars Week
National Public Health Week
National Window Safety Week
Take Your Poet to School Week
Testicular Cancer Awareness Week
April Fools' Day
Assyrian New Year
Boomer Bonus Days
Community Garden Week
Cyprus National Holiday
Dyngus Day
Easter Monday
Edible Book Day
Fossil Fools Day
International Fun at Work Day
International Tatting Day
Library Snap Shot Day
Lupus Alert Day
Martyrdom of Imam Ali
Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month
Myles Day
National Connor Day
National Fun Day
National Greeting Card Day
National Loyal Day
National One Cent Day
National Sourdough Bread Day
National Trombone Players Day
Nature Day
Nickelodeon Anniversary Celebration Day
Odisha Day
Reading is Funny Day
St. Stupid Day
Take Down Tobacco National Day of Action
U.S. Air Force Academy Day
U.S. Air Force Academy Day
White House Easter Egg Roll
Adopt a Ferret Month
Adopt a Greyhound Month
Arab American Heritage Month
Autism Acceptance Month
Bowel Cancer Awareness Month
Brussels Sprouts and Cabbage Month
Cancer Control Month
Canine Fitness Month
Celebrate Diversity Month
Cesarean Awareness Month
Child Abuse Awareness Month
Children and Nature Awareness Month
Counseling Awareness Month
Couple Appreciation Month
Cranberries and Gooseberries Month
Deaf History Month
Defeat Diabetes Month
Distracted Driving Awareness Month
Dog Appreciation Month
Earth Month
Emotional Overeating Awareness Month
Fair Housing Month
Filipino Food Month
Financial Capability Month
Financial Literacy Month
Fresh Florida Tomato Month
Genocide Awareness Month
Global Astronomy Month
Global Child Nutrition Month
Grange Month
Heartworm Awareness Month
IBS Month
Informed Women Month
International Amateur Radio Month
International Customer Loyalty Month
International Guitar Month
Jazz Appreciation Month
Keep America Beautiful Month
Month of the Military Child
Move More Month
Multicultural Communications Month
Multiple Birth Awareness Month
National African-American Women's Fitness Month
National Alcohol Awareness Month
National BLT Sandwich Month
National Car Care Month
National Card and Letter Writing Month
National Decorating Month
National Donate Life Month
National Facial Protection Month
National Food Month
National Foot Health Awareness Month
National Fresh Celery Month
National Frog Month
National Garlic Month
National Grilled Cheese Month
National Humor Month
National Internship Awareness Month
National Kite Month
National Knuckles Down Month
National Literature Month
National Minority Health Month
National Month of Hope
National Pecan Month
National Pest Management Month
National Pet First Aid Awareness Month
National Poetry Month
National Rebuilding Month
National Safe Digging Month
National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month
National Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) Education and Awareness Month
National Sjogren's Syndrome Awareness Month
National Social Security Month
National Soft Pretzel Month
National Soy Foods Month
National Volunteer Month
National Welding Month
National Woodworking Month
National Youth Sports Safety Month
Occupational Therapy Month
Panagyaman Rice Festival
Parkinson's Awareness Month
Parkinson's Awareness Month
Parliamentary Law Month
Pharmacists War on Diabetes Month
Physical Wellness Month
Poetic Earth Month
Prevent Lyme Disease in Dogs Month
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month
Primary Immunodeficiency Month
Records and Information Management Month
Records and Information Management Month
Rosacea Awareness Month
Sarcoidosis Awareness Month
School Library Month
Scottish-American Heritage Month
Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Sports Eye Safety Awareness Month
Step up for 30 For Bowel Cancer Month
STI Awareness Month
Straw Hat Month
Stress Awareness Month
Summer Tire Changeover Month
SunSmart Skin Cancer Prevention
Testicular Cancer Awareness Month
Tomatillo and Asian Pear Month
Women's Eye Health and Safety Month
Workplace Conflict Awareness Month
World Autism Month
World Landscape Architecture Month
Worldwide Bereaved Spouses Awareness Month

Holidays Straight to Your Inbox

Every day is a holiday!
Receive fresh holidays directly to your inbox.