Risk Factors for Testicular Cancer There is no way to prevent testicular cancer (Mayo Clinic). Any person who believes that he may be at risk for testicular cancer should discuss this with his medical practitioner. The following have been identified as risk factors for testicular cancer: Researched and Prepared by Prof Michael C Herbst [D Litt et Phil (Health Studies); D N Ed; M Art et Scien; B A Cur; Dip Occupational Health] Edited by Ms Sue Janse van Rensburg [M Sc (Healthcare Management); B A Hons; B A Cur] September 2013 Page 3 Having had an Undescended testicle(s) – before birth, the testicles normally develop in the belly of the foetus and then move down into the scrotum before the baby is born. It is estimated that in about 3% of boys, the testicles do not move down into the scrotum before birth (American Cancer Society). Sometimes the testicle stays inside the belly, while in other cases, it starts to move down, but gets stuck in the groin. Undescended testes is also known as cryptorchidism. Men who have had cryptorchidism are several times more likely to get testicular cancer than those who did not have the problem. The risk is higher for men with a testicle in the belly as opposed to one that has moved down at least part of the way. Among men with a history of this problem, most cancers start in the testicle that has not moved down (National Cancer Institute). Having had abnormal development of the testicles and/or other organs - men born with abnormalities of the testicles, penis and/or urethra (hypospadias), or kidneys, as well as those with inguinal hernia (hernia in the groin area, where the thigh meets the abdomen), may be at increased risk (CancerHelp UK). Having a personal history of testicular cancer – Men who have been cured of cancer of one testicle have an increased risk (about 3-4%) of getting cancer in the other testicle (American Cancer Society). Having a family history of testicular cancer - A family history of testicular cancer increases the risk. If a man has the disease, there is a slight increased risk that his brothers or sons may also get it. Approximately 10% of testicular cancers appear to be genetically linked. It is believed that the genes do not cause testicular cancer, but rather make the man more susceptible to it. (National Cancer Institute; Mark Kantrowitz). HIV Infection – Recent research has shown that there is some evidence that men infected with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) have an increased risk of testicular cancer. This may be especially true for men who have Aids (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). No other infections have been shown to increase testicular cancer risk (American Cancer Society). Race – being white increases the risk of testicular cancer. White men are about 5 times more likely to get testicular cancer. The reason for this difference is not known (American Cancer Society; National Cancer Institute). Please also refer to the statistics from the National Cancer Registry quoted above. Age – On average 9 out of 10 cases of testicular cancers occur in men between the ages of 20 and 54. However, this cancer can affect males of any age, including infants and older men (American Cancer Society). Having fertility problems – studies have confirmed that men with fertility problems have an increased risk of testicular cancer. The problems they identified were low semen concentration, sperm that did not move around as much as normal, or a high proportion of abnormal sperm (CancerHelp UK). Occupation - Certain occupations (miners, oil or gas workers, janitors, leather workers, food and beverage workers, or workers involved in the manufacturing or application of pesticides) have an increased risk of testicular cancer (Mark Kantrowitz). Researched and Prepared by Prof Michael C Herbst [D Litt et Phil (Health Studies); D N Ed; M Art et Scien; B A Cur; Dip Occupational Health] Edited by Ms Sue Janse van Rensburg [M Sc (Healthcare Management); B A Hons; B A Cur] September 2013 Page 4 Having a family history of breast cancer or malignant melanoma - men who have family members with breast cancer or malignant melanoma have an increased risk of testicular cancer (CancerHelp UK). Smoking marijuana – Studies from the University of Chicago have found that men who had smoked marijuana were twice as likely as men who had not to get an aggressive form of the disease. Body size – Some studies have shown that the risk of testicular cancer in somewhat higher in tall men, but other studies have not shown a link (American Cancer Society). Having had a vasectomy - having had a vasectomy does not increase the risk of testicular cancer (West). Having prior trauma to the testicles - Prior trauma to the testicles and recurrent actions such as horseback riding do not appear to be related to the development of testicular cancer. Genetic risk factors - A new study looking at the genomes of more than 13 000 men identified four new genetic variants associated with an increased risk of testicular cancer, one of the commonly diagnosed type in young men today. The findings from this first-of-its-kind meta-analysis were reported online May 12 in Nature Genetics by researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. (Web MD; American Cancer Society; Mayo Clinic; Medicalexpress; Cancer.net).
Posted on: Thu, 20 Mar 2014 08:37:31 +0000