According to the American Cancer Society, nearly 200,000 men have a history of testicular cancer. Screening for testicular cancer is not always an easy matter; for breast caner women are taught to do self-examinations, for cervical cancer there are pap smears. According to urologist Dr. Harry Tsai, self-exams for testicular cancer are not an easy topic for young boys, or even 20 year-old guys to talk about.

Testicular cancer is usually diagnosed in young men - those at the age and time in their lives when they may be thinking abut starting a family. Dr. Tsai says, "The biggest problem is that there's not enough awareness, I've been in different places where we try to go to high schools and have self awareness."

Because of a new awareness about testicular cancer, men are getting checked earlier and as a result have a better chance of becoming a father. Treating testicular cancer can take a temporary toll. Dr. Tsai explains, that "it's the chemo that really causes damage to the sperm or semen, so after treatment especially chemo therapy we say about 12-18 months really have to go by before the sperm count is normalized."

Men with testicular cancer who wish to maintain their normal sperm count and fertility should be counseled with the option of sperm banking.

Research has shown testicular cancer is not linked with STDs, and the affected men's girlfriends or wives do not show any infertility problems.