Protect Our Boys: Check Down to See What’s Up

To expand our focus and include the effects of chemicals in products on males during No Shave November, Protect Our Breasts investigates the newest science on endocrine disruptors and testicular dysgenesis syndrome. This includes testicular cancer, hypospadias (abnormal urethral opening), cryptorchidism (undescended testes), and poor semen quality. The science suggests testicular cancer (along with related conditions) originates in males during fetal life and may be caused by exposure to contaminants through the female. This means when a woman is exposed to certain environmental toxins, there may be an increased risk that her future baby boy may be diagnosed with testicular cancer later in life. The average age range of men diagnosed with testicular cancer is 15 to 35. As college-aged men are more likely than older men to be affected, it is particularly important they learn to “check down to see what’s up” for early detection.

New research has also pointed to the young adult male as being in a window of susceptibility for sperm damage which would subsequently compromise their reproductive capacity and potential offspring. In other words, young men should also avoid endocrine disruptors in products such as DEHP and other plasticizers, phthalates in personal care and BPA in cans, receipts and bottle caps.

Sources: Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals State of the Science 2012 p. 57