Testicular cancer risk higher for taller men; other risk factors

Testes are the male reproductive glands located inside the scrotum, which is the pouch of skin located underneath the penis. Testes are responsible for producing sperm and the hormone testosterone. Testicular cancer is when abnormal cells start to grow in the testicles. Pain, swelling or lumps in your testicle or groin area may be a symptom of testicular cancer requiring treatment. It can spread or metastasize outside of the testicle and into other parts of the body. However, it’s also one of the most treatable cancers, even if it’s spread to other areas.

Although it's relatively uncommon overall, testicular cancer is the most common type of cancer to affect men between the ages of 15 and 49, according to NHS UK. There are a number of possible risk factors, though having a risk factor does not mean you will develop cancer.

Cancer Research UK says there is evidence that men who are taller than average have an increased risk of testicular cancer and men who are shorter than average have a reduced risk. After looking at data on more than 10,000 men, researchers in the US found that for every extra two inches or 5cm in height above average, the risk went up by 13%. Sara Hiom, director of health information at Cancer Research UK, said: "Tall men should not be alarmed by this research since fewer than four in 100 testicular lumps are actually cancerous.

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Although people of any race can develop testicular cancer, white people are more likely than those of other races to be diagnosed with testicular cancer. The reason behind this is still not clear. According to John Hopkins Medicine, testicular cancer is most common in white (Caucasian) men in the United States and less common in black (African-American), Hispanic and Latino and Asian-American men.

A family history of testicular cancer is another common risk factor. The disease is highly heritable and can be passed from generation to generation. There is an eight- to twelvefold risk if a man has a brother with testicular cancer and a two- to fourfold risk if his father has testicular cancer. However, testicular cancer is rare, and it is therefore rare for this disease to run in families.

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Cryptorchidism is an undescended testicle, meaning that one or both testicles do not move down into the scrotum before birth. Boys with a history of cryptorchidism have an increased risk of testicular cancer. The risk of cancer is not directly related to the fact that the testicle does not descend, but it is believed that the abnormality in descent likely indicates an abnormality in the testicle that makes cancer more likely. This risk may be lowered if surgery is used to fix the condition before puberty.

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is transmitted from person to person most commonly in blood and bodily secretions, such as semen. Some evidence has shown that men infected with HIV, particularly those with AIDS, are at increased risk than their HIV-negative counterparts. Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a disease of the immune system caused by infection with HIV. The connection between HIV/AIDS and certain cancers is not completely understood, but the link likely depends on a weakened immune system. No other infections have been shown to increase testicular cancer risk.