Risk Factors of Testicular Cancer

Testicular cancer can strike men of any age, race or ethnicity, so it is important to be aware of the risk factors for this disease. Knowing the risk factors of testicular cancer can help men seek medical attention when the disease is in its early stages. Catching the disease as early as possible can result in a better chance of recovery.

Marijuana Use

Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center have identified a link between marijuana use and the development of testicular cancer. According to their study, published in the journal Cancer, marijuana use is associated with a 70 percent greater risk of developing testicular cancer. Additionally, marijuana may only be linked to an aggressive testicular cancer that strikes between the ages of 20 and 35 and grows very quickly.

Family History

Family history of testicular cancer increases the risk of testicular cancer. If a man has testicular cancer, his sons and brothers have an increased risk of developing the disease. However, family history is not one of the leading risk factors for development of testicular cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates that only 3 percent of testicular cases are found in families. Many men with this form of cancer do not have any history of the disease in their families.

Undescended Testicle

Undescended testicle, also known as cryptoorchidism, is one of the major risk factors for developing testicular cancer. Before birth, the testicles should descend from inside the abdomen into the scrotum. In cryptoorchidism, a testicle does not move into the scrotum. Both testicles have an increased risk of developing testicular cancer. This risk does not decrease even if surgery is performed to move the undescended testicle into the scrotum.

History of Testicular Cancer

If a man has had cancer in one testicle, there is a risk of developing cancer in the other testicle. The American Cancer Society cites a 3 to 4 percent testicular cancer rate in men who have been previously diagnosed and treated for cancer in one testicle.

Age

Testicular cancer usually strikes young men, unlike other forms of cancer that occur in the middle-aged and elderly. While this form of cancer can occur at any age, it usually affects teenagers and young men between the ages of 15 and 34. According to physicians from Baptist Health Systems, 8 to 14 men between the ages of 20 and 35 will develop testicular cancer.

Race & Ethnicity

Race and ethnicity play important roles in how much of a risk someone has of developing testicular cancer. The American Cancer Society indicates that testicular cancer occurs 5 times more often in Caucasians than it does in black men and 3 times more often in white men than Asian and American Indian men. Men who live in Europe or the United States have a higher risk of developing the disease than men living in Asia or Africa.

Medical Conditions

Some medical conditions that affect the testicles can increase a man's risk for developing testicular cancer. Inflammation of the testes caused by mumps, Klinefelter syndrome and testicles that are smaller than normal are all risk factors for developing this disease. HIV may also increase the risk for developing testicular cancer.