Causes and Risk Factors of Testicular Cancer
Most testicular cancers are traced to the germ cells. The cells located in the testicles produce immature sperm.
The reason why testicular cells become cancerous is still unknown, but some genetic factors may increase the risk.
Testicular cancer is more likely to occur in people with the following risk factors:
- Age: Testicular is more common in people between the ages of 15 and 35.
- Undescended Testicles: These are testicles that form in the abdomen of a fetus during pregnancy, but fail to drop into the scrotum before birth. This condition may require surgery. People born with this condition have higher chances of getting testicular cancer.
- Race and Ethnicity: Study has shown testicular cancer to be more common among non-hispanic whites in Europe and the United States.
- Family or Personal Health History: Your chances of getting testicular cancer increase if a biological parent or sibling has had it. Some inherited conditions such as Klinefelter Syndrome [1] may increase your risk. If you have testicular cancer in one testicle, there are chances that you will develop it in the second one.
- Infertility: Although more research is needed to understand the connection. Some of the factors that cause infertility may also be related to the development of testicular cancer.
Since the exact cause of testicular cancer is unknown, it is not possible to prevent it. Genetic factors may play a role, but a person can not change these factors.