Referral to a specialist for testicular cancer
Your GP should arrange for you to see a specialist if you have symptoms that could be due to testicular cancer. You usually see a doctor called a 
.
Depending on your symptoms and other factors, this might be an urgent referral. You will see a urologist or have tests as soon as possible. Ask your GP when this is likely to be.
Seeing your GP
It can be hard for GPs to decide who may have cancer and who might have a more minor condition. For some symptoms, your doctor may ask you to wait to see if the symptoms get better or respond to treatment, such as antibiotics.
Your GP might arrange for you to have some tests first.
UK referral guidelines
There are guidelines for GPs to help them decide who needs a referral. These vary between the different UK nations. Your GP will use these guidelines as well as their own experience and judgment.
England and Wales
Your doctor should arrange for you to see a specialist if you have:
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a testicle that gets bigger and isn’t painful or
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a change in the shape or texture of the testicle
Your doctor may arrange for you to have an first if you have unexplained or continuing testicular symptoms.
Northern Ireland
You should have an urgent referral if you have a swelling or a lump in one of your testicles.
Scotland
You should have an urgent referral if you have any of the following:
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a testicle that gets bigger and isn’t painful, or a change in the shape or texture of the testicle
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a testicular lump seen on a scan and your doctor suspects this might be cancer
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a condition which causes inflammation of the testicle and this is not responding to treatment
Remember, these symptoms can be caused by other conditions, and do not necessarily mean that you have testicular cancer. But it is important to get them checked out.
Other symptoms
Your GP will consider any other symptoms you have, so do mention these.
Risk factors
Your GP might also take into account whether you have any risk factors that affect your chances of developing testicular cancer.
If you're still worried
Sometimes you might feel that your GP is not concerned enough about your symptoms. If you think they should be more concerned, print this page and the symptoms page. Ask your GP to explain why they don’t think you need a referral.
Contact your GP again if your symptoms don't get better or you notice any new or unusual symptoms.
What should you do if you don’t get an appointment?
If your GP has referred you to a specialist, ask them when you should get your appointment. Contact them again if you don’t get one. Or some hospitals have a referral service you could try contacting if you know which hospital you are going to. Explain that you are waiting for an urgent suspected cancer referral.
Waiting times
Your hospital is working towards waiting time targets. For example, a target to find out whether you have cancer or not. And there are targets to start treatment if you are diagnosed with cancer. These are slightly different depending on where you live in the UK.
