Who Is At Risk?

Testicular cancer is rare. Despite a slow increase in the number of new cases, the number of deaths due to testicular cancer has decreased dramatically since the 1960s as a result of treatment improvements. Anything that increases a person's chance of developing a disease is called a risk factor. Some risk factors for testicular cancer are as follows:

Age - Young men have a higher risk of testicular cancer. In men, testicular cancer is the most common cancer between the ages of 20 to 34, the second most common cancer between the ages of 35 to 39, and the third most common cancer between the ages of 15 to 19.

Family History - Men with a family history of testicular cancer may have an increased risk of developing testicular cancer. Hereditary Conditions - Men born with gonadal dysgenesis or Klinefelter's syndrome have a greater risk of developing testicular cancer.

Race - Testicular cancer is more common among white men than black men. Hispanic, American Indian, and Asian men develop testicular cancer at a higher rate than black men, but less than white men.

The great American cyclist, Lance Armstrong, was diagnosed with and subsequently beat Testicular Cancer. Yes, even the greatest athletes in the world are at risk. All men should take heed.

All textual information courtesy of www.tc-cancer.com