Reducing Your Risk of Testicular Cancer

A risk factor increases your chances of developing cancer. Modifying certain risk factors may help reduce your risk of testicular cancer.

The only preventable risk factors for testicular cancer are undescended and atrophic testicles at birth. If you have one of these conditions and it has not been fixed by the time of puberty, ask your urologist if it should be corrected. If you have had one of these conditions treated, your risk is still higher than average.

Careful testicular self-examination and encouraging your physician to consider the possibility during your annual health check-up are good ideas.

If your son has one of these conditions, have it checked right away and ask your physician about an orchiopexy (fixing it in the scrotum) or an orchiectomy (removal of the testicle).

Sources:

All About Testicular Cancer. American Cancer Society.
Available at: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/home/index.asp .
Accessed November 29, 2002.

Holland JF, Frei III E. Neoplasms of the genitourinary tract. In: Cancer Medicine . American Cancer Society.
Available at: http://www.nci.nih.gov/cancer_information/ .
Accessed November 30, 2002.

Motzer RJ, Bosl GJ. Testicular cancer. In: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine , 14th ed. McGraw-Hill; 1998.

Testicular Cancer Home Page. National Cancer Institute.
Available at: http://www.nci.nih.gov/cancer_information/ .
Accessed November 29, 2002.

Last reviewed February 2003 by ]]>Donald Lawrence, MD]]>

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.