A population‐based study of testicular cancer risk among children and young adults from Norway and Utah, USA. Issue 6 (7th April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kollerud, Ruby Del Risco; Haugnes, Hege S.; Claussen, Bjørgulf; Thoresen, Magne; Nafstad, Per; Farnham, James M.; Blaasaas, Karl G.; Næss, Øyvind; Cannon‐Albright, Lisa A.
• Is Part Of: International journal of cancer. Volume 147:Issue 6(2020)
• Page Start: 1604
• Page End: 1611
• Publication Date: 2020-04-07
• Subjects: testicular cancer -- testis -- testicular cancer incidence -- germ cell tumour -- familial aggregation -- family history -- familial risk -- UPDB -- children; Cancer -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Prevention -- Periodicals; 616.994
• DOI: 10.1002/ijc.32949
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0020-7136

Abstract

Abstract : Similar family‐based cancer and genealogy data from Norway and Utah allowed comparisons of the incidence of testicular cancer (TC), and exploration of the role of Scandinavian ancestry and family history of TC in TC risk. Our study utilizes data from the Utah Population Database and Norwegian Population Registers. All males born during 1951–2015 were followed for TC until the age of 29 years. A total of 1, 974, 287 and 832, 836 males were born in Norway and Utah, respectively, of whom 2, 686 individuals were diagnosed with TC in Norway and 531 in Utah. The incidence per year of TC in Norway (10.6) was twice that observed in Utah (5.1) for males born in the last period (1980–1984). The incidence rates of TC in Utah did not differ according to the presence or absence of Scandinavian ancestry ( p = 0.669). Having a brother diagnosed with TC was a strong risk factor for TC among children born in Norway and Utah, with HR = 9.87 (95% CI 5.68–17.16) and 6.02 (95% CI 4.80–7.55), respectively; with even higher HR observed among the subset of children in Utah with Scandinavian ancestry (HR = 12.30, 95% CI 6.78–22.31). A clear difference in TC incidence among individuals born in Norway and descendants of Scandinavian people born in Utah was observed. These differences in TC rates point to the possibility of environmental influence. Family history of TC is a strong risk factor for developing TC in both populations. Abstract : What's new? The incidence of testicular cancer (TC) has increased substantially in many countries, with the highest incidence found in Denmark and Norway. The reasons remain unknown, however. This population‐based study found a clear difference in TC incidence among individuals born in Norway and descendants of Scandinavian people born in Utah. Norwegian males born between 1980 and 1984 had twice the TC incidence found in Utah in the same period. These differences in TC rates point to the possibility of environmental influences and/or lifestyle factors. A family history of TC was a strong risk factor for developing testicular cancer in both populations.