Experts are available to discuss various aspects of testicular cancer

Cancer education advocates across the nation will be focusing on cancer of the testes during Testicular Cancer Awareness Week (April 1 - 7). The Cancer Institute of New Jersey is making experts available to discuss various aspects of this disease, which, according to the National Cancer Institute, is the most common cancer among men between ages 20 and 34. The Cancer Institute of New Jersey is a Center of Excellence of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

The testicles are part of the male reproductive system and are responsible for making sperm and the male hormone testosterone. While testicular cancer is not common, its rate has been increasing in the U.S. and other countries according to the American Cancer Society. In 2013, it is estimated that 7,920 men will develop testicular cancer in the U.S. and 370 will die of this disease. With the development of effective chemotherapy, often combined with surgery, the majority of men with testicular cancer will be cured. Those diagnosed with testicular cancer tend to be young Caucasian males, but the disease also can affect older males and even infants.

Risk factors for developing testicular cancer include:

• Having an undescended testicle
• Family history of testicular cancer
• HIV infection
• Cancer of the other testicle
• History of a pre-cancerous condition involving either one of the testicles

Source: Cancer Institute of New Jersey