Before attempting to find out about who is most at risk for testicular cancer it is important to know what testicular cancer is first. Testicular cancer is a rare form of cancer that affects the testicles of mostly young men. This type of cancer has been found to affect mostly teenagers and young men who are aged between 15 to 35 years but this does not mean other aged men will not develop it. There are risk factors of testicular cancer that have been found to predispose certain people to the likelihood of developing it such as:
People With Testes That are Not Properly Descended (Cryptorchidism)
Under normal circumstances, the testes usually form in the abdominal area during fetal development and then descend into the scrotum before the birth of a baby boy.
Men with testicles that did not descend are usually at an increased risk of developing testicular cancer than those whose testicles successfully descended to the scrotum. Unfortunately, the risk usually remains high for such men even after the surgical relocation of the testicle relocation to the scrotum.
It must be noted however that most men who have developed testicular cancer don’t have any history of undescended testicles.
People With Abnormal Testicle Development
People with abnormal testicle development issues which cause their testis to develop abnormally are usually also at an increased risk of developing testicular cancer.
People With a Family History Of Testicular Cancer
Men whose family members had experienced cancer may also be at an increased risk of developing it.
The Age Factor
Testicular cancer has been found to affect particularly teenagers and young men who are aged between 15 to 35 years. This does not necessarily mean that it can still affect men of any age.
The Race Factor
Testicular cancer has been found to be more common in white men than any other race.
Use Of Marijuana
Recent research found out that men who abused marijuana were also more at risk of developing testicular cancer than those who don’t. Long-term use of the herb significantly increases a man’s risk of developing cancer. The research also found that marijuana use by teenagers made them get even more predisposed to developing testicular cancer.
Sexual Health Complications
Male infertility and poor semen quality may also cause a man to b vulnerable to testicular cancer that is according to research.
Hiv Infection
Some research suggests that people who are HIV infected may have an increased risk of developing testicular cancer. The risk increases even more if the person’s HIV has degenerated to AIDS.
A Previous History Of Reticular Cancer
It has been established that about 3 – 4 percent of men who have experienced testicular cancer in one testicle, may later develop cancer in the other testicle.
There are Certain Possible Risk Factors That Have Not Yet Been Established Which Include The Following:
- Testicular microlithiasis (Presence Of Calcium Specs In Testicles) – Studies suggest that men with this kind of condition may be at an increased risk of developing testicular cancer.
- Early Puberty – Certain studies suggest that some boys who reach puberty at an early age have a high likelihood of developing testicular cancer than those who reach puberty at a normal age.
- Height – Some studies suggest that men who are taller than average men are usually more predisposed to developing testicular cancer than those of who are of average height.
- A Decrease In Fertility – Other studies suggest that a decrease in fertility in some men may increase their risk of developing testicular cancer.
- The Risk Of Pesticides – Research has found that exposure to certain kinds of pesticides by some men may increase their risk of developing testicular cancer. A pesticide like organochlorine increases the risk of this cancer.
- Prenatal Exposure To Estrogens – Some studies suggest that male children whose mothers took diethylstilbestrol during their pregnancy have got an increased risk of developing testicular cancer.
Factors That are Not Associated With The Risk Of Testicular Cancer
There are things that affect the testicles that are not however linked with testicular cancer risk, they are:
- Male vasectomy.
- Injury or trauma to the testicles.
- Tobacco use.
- Alcohol use.
Conclusion
Testicular cancer unlike prostate cancer usually affects younger men more than it affects older men. It has also been found to affect Caucasian men more than any other race in the world. The risk factors that make a man to be more at risk of developing this cancer also differ from one man to the other.
There are some other possible risk factors that have not been confirmed yet but which are thought to be linked to risk factors such as early puberty in certain men, decreased fertility, parental exposure to estrogens and exposure to certain pesticides.
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