Cork men face higher risk of testicular cancer

CORK men are at significantly greater risk of developing testicular cancer than in any other part of the country due to reasons which may be linked to “industrial pollutants”.

A 13-year study published in the Irish Journal of Medical Science (IJMS) has confirmed the county is suffering from an unexplained spike in the life-threatening condition.

Speaking at the launch of the Mercy University Hospital foundation’s three-year charity funding plan, consultant urologist Dr Paul Sweeney said the area has a testicular cancer rate 27% higher than the national average. While the senior physician said he did not want “to scare people”, he confirmed the industrialisation of some parts of the county is a genuine potential cause for the rate.