Testicular Cancer Up Sharply Among Young Hispanics, Study Finds

More research is needed to understand why, authors say

MONDAY, July 14, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Testicular cancer rates have risen sharply among young Hispanic Americans in recent years, but not among young whites, a new study finds.

Historically, white men have had the highest rate of testicular cancer of all racial/ethnic groups in the United States. However, if current trends continue, the rate of testicular cancer among Hispanics will surpass that of whites within a few years, the study authors noted.

The researchers analyzed National Cancer Institute data collected from 1992 to 2010 and found that the annual incidence of testicular cancer among Hispanics ages 15 to 39 rose 58 percent during that time -- from about 7 cases to more than 11 cases per 100,000.

Testicular cancer rates among whites in the same age group rose 7 percent -- from 12.4 to just over 13 cases per 100,000 over the same period, according to the study published online July 14 in the journal Cancer.

"Hispanic Americans comprise the fastest growing ethnic group in the United States. Until only recently, cancer incidence data for this population has been too sparse to accurately analyze testicular cancer trends among Hispanic men," study author Dr. Rebecca Johnson, of Seattle Children's Hospital, said in a journal news release.

"The increasing rate of testicular cancer in adolescent and young adult Hispanic males, combined with the rapid expansion of the Hispanic population in the United States, is projected to have a measurable impact on the United States health care system," she added.

The findings show a need for awareness of the growing risk of testicular cancer among Hispanic teens and young adults, and for further research to learn more about the reasons for this trend, the study authors said.

Testicular cancer is one of the most common cancers diagnosed in teen and young adult males, and also one of the most treatable.

More information

The U.S. National Library of Medicine has more about testicular cancer.

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