‘Cancer Atlas’ concludes: testicular cancer is common in Eemnes and Bunschoten, but what does that mean?

That research is necessary, confirms director Ivo Struik of the Testicular Cancer Foundation. “I am completely surprised,” he says in a first reaction to the figures. “This is exactly what an atlas is for. The data raises questions that we have to answer.” When Struik saw the atlas, he was particularly struck by the fact that testicular cancer occurs more often in regions where families continue to live close together. But that could also be a coincidence. “Perhaps it is due to the environment or life choices, that is always possible. But if it actually concerns families, then it does not seem to me to be a difficult investigation. All data are already in registers. If we start investigating them, we will hopefully get a answer.”