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Risk Factors for Testicular Cancer

Authors:
  • Amy Scholten, MPH
Publication Type:

ConditionInDepth

Risk Factors for Testicular Cancer

A risk factor is something that raises a person's chances of getting a disease or health problem. A person can have testicular cancer with or without the risks below. The more risks a person has, the greater the chances are.

A person has no control over some risks such as age. Testicular cancer is more common in men aged 20 to 34 years old, but it can happen in older men. It is also more common in men who are White.

Other things that raise the risk are:

  • Health problems such as:
    • Undescended testicles—They move from the belly to the scrotum before birth. Some boys are born with their testicles still in the belly. This can be fixed with surgery.
    • Having had testicular cancer before
    • HIV infection
  • A family history of testicular cancer—especially if a brother or father had or has it.
  • Genetic syndromes such as:

References

  • General information about testicular cancer. National Cancer Institute website. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/types/testicular/patient/testicular-treatment-pdq#link/_1.
  • Risk factors for testicular cancer. American Cancer Society website. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/testicular-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html.
  • Testicular cancer. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/testicular-cancer.
  • What causes testicular cancer? Urology Care Foundation website. Available at: https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/t/testicular-cancer.

Contributors

  • Mohei Abouzied, MD, FACP
Last Updated:
2022-11-01

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This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.