Were you the guy who was never tall enough? If you just had a few extra inches, you would’ve been able to play college basketball. Or maybe you had a great arm, but couldn’t see over the line of scrimmage, killing your chances of becoming a quarterback. Well, your small stature might be a blessing in disguise. According to a recent study, taller men are more prone to testicular cancer.
Researchers from the National Cancer Institute compiled data from more than 13 different studies investigating testicular cancer. They analyzed more than 10,000 men and looked for any correlation between the disease and height and weight measurements. The results revealed that for every two inches above average height, a man’s risk for testicular cancer increases by 13 percent.
The average male height is 5’ 9’’.
The researchers don’t know why height adds to the risk of testicular cancer, and they still say that other factors—like family history, ethnicity, and age—pose a bigger risk.
One in every 271 men in the U.S. is diagnosed with testicular cancer. The average case is diagnosed around age 34, and about two in every 1 million American men will die from testicular cancer this year. Because of this relatively low mortality rate, experts say that tall men don’t need to worry.
Sara Hiom, director of health information at Cancer Research UK, said: “Tall men should not be alarmed by this research … fewer than four in 100 testicular lumps are actually cancerous.
“But it is still important for men to be aware of any changes to the size and weight of their testicles and not delay seeing their GP if they are concerned. This is particularly true for young men, as the disease is more common with under-35-year-olds.
Don’t like ads? Become a supporter and enjoy The Good Men Project ad free“The outlook for testicular cancer is also one of the best for all cancers—even after the disease has spread, patients can be cured.”
98 percent of men diagnosed with testicular cancer will survive for at least 10 years.
This is one of those things we tall people should maybe be concerned about. I wonder the reason behind this, though?
Aw, and here I thought being the tallest in my family was a good thing.
(BTW, the researchers didn’t comply data, they compiled it.)
glad I’m short for once
nuts.