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Dr. Reynolds
While the exact cause of testicular cancer is unknown, there are certain risk factors that increase a man's chance of developing the disease. Dr. Jerman, can you tell us about some of these risk factors?
Dr. Jerman
Certainly, Dr. Reynolds. The risk factors for testicular cancer include:
- Age: Testicular cancer can occur at any age, but is most commonly found in men between the ages of 20 and 34.
- Cryptorchidism, or undescended testicle: Having an undescended testicle is a condition where the testicles fail to descend from the abdomen down to the scrotum shortly before birth.
- Family history: Men who have a first-degree relative diagnosed with testicular cancer have an increased risk of developing the disease themselves.
- Race and ethnicity: The risk for testicular cancer in Caucasian men is significantly higher than in any other racial or ethnic group.
Keep in mind that having one or more risk factors for testicular cancer does not mean that you will develop the disease. Many men with one or more risk factors never get testicular cancer, while others with no known risk factors do develop the disease.