Nearly 50% of testicular cancer risk comes from genetics

According to a recent study, genes inherited from parents play an important role in causing testicular cancer in men.

Photo: Mirror.

According to an international study, which included the UK's Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), nearly half of the risk (49%) of developing testicular cancer is due to genetic factors. Meanwhile, for other types of cancer, genetic factors are only about 20%.

“Our research has shown that testicular cancer is a strongly genetic disease,” said Dr Clare Turnbull, senior researcher in genetics and epidemiology at the ICR.

“Our findings have important implications. We can uncover genetic causes, screen men with a family history of testicular cancer to identify those at greatest risk, and get them the treatment they need most quickly,” added Clare.

The British, American, German and Swedish studies, published in the journal Scientific Reports, analysed the risk of testicular germ cell tumours – the most common type of testicular cancer. They used statistical analysis to examine the testicular cancer patterns of 15.7 million Swedish families, which revealed 9,324 cases of testicular cancer. They then examined the genetic codes of 6,000 British men, of whom 986 had been diagnosed with hereditary testicular cancer.

The research, funded by the Movember Foundation, the ICR and Cancer Research UK, is aimed at understanding testicular germ cell tumours in detail. "This discovery helps unlock the mysteries of this cancer and may ultimately identify potential therapeutic targets to combat it," said Sam Gledhill, global director of the Movember Foundation.

According to VnExpress