According to the National Cancer Institute, there are about 8,400 new cases of testicular cancer in the United States each year. Most of the cases occur in the 15 to 34 age group. While the exact causes of testicular cancer are not known, there is evidence to support carcinogen ingestion through smoking or other environmental sources. There is also evidence pointing to inherited genetic predisposition to developing the disease.
Testicular Cancer
The testicles are the male sexual organs in charge of producing testosterone and spermatozoa. Like other organs in the body, the testicles' cells are constantly growing and reproducing to replace older cells. Testicular cells are susceptible to becoming cancerous when they grow and reproduce uncontrollably.
Undescended Testicles
One of the causes of testicular cancer are undescended testicles. As the fetus grows and matures, and normally by 9 months of age, both testicles descend from the abdomen to their position in the scrotum outside the body. If a testicle fails to descend for any cause, the testicle may be damaged. This damage may lead to testicular cancer because the damage may have been at the genetic level.
Smoking
Smoking tobacco and other substances introduces a myriad of chemicals into the body. Many of these chemicals are carcinogens, chemicals that are known to cause cancer. Carcinogens travel all over the body through the circulation, including the testicles.
Genetics
Many times, a clear cause of testicular cancer is not found. However, according to the National Cancer Institute, there is some evidence of familial testicular cancer. That is, males in certain families are more likely to develop testicular cancer than their peers. This points to a genetic cause for testicular cancer, and research into that area is ongoing.
Prevention/Solution
Removing environmental risk factors for cancer greatly reduce the chances of developing testicular cancer. However, sometimes uncontrollable factors like genetics are the cause. In either case, screening for cancer is the best key to surviving it because detecting early gives the best chance of successfully treating it. Male self-exams between puberty and age 34 are effective in catching testicular cancer early.
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