Risk Factors
A risk factor is a characteristic, behavior, or condition that raises the possibility of developing a disease. Here are some factors known to increase your risk of developing testicular cancer.
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Undescended Testicle (Cryptorchidism)
Usually the testicles form in the abdomen and then drop down into the scrotum before birth. Cryptorchidism is a condition in which the testicles did not move down into the scrotum. This condition greatly increases your risk for testicular cancer, even after surgery to correct the problem.
Age
Testicular cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in young men in their 20s or early 30s. Most men who get this disease are between the ages of 15 and 40.
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Personal History
Men who have a history of testicular cancer are more likely to develop testicular cancer in their other testicle.
Race
White men are at an increased risk for testicular cancer and are about five times more likely to develop the disease than men of other races.
HIV/AIDS
Men with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are at an increased risk for testicular cancer. AIDs increases this risk even further.
Family History
Close relatives (such as a brother or son) of a man with testicular cancer may be at an increased risk for developing the disease.
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Klinefelter’s Syndrome
Klinefelter's syndrome is a sex chromosome disorder that may cause symptoms such as low testosterone, male breast growth, and shrunken testicles. This condition may increase your risk for testicular cancer.
