A new study has unearthed a striking correlation between male fertility issues and heightened risks of certain cancers within families.
The research, led by Joemy Ramsay, PhD, from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, sheds light on the relationship between reproductive health and cancer susceptibility.
Published in Human Reproduction, the retrospective cohort study delved into the medical records of families connected to men with fertility problems.
The study, which analysed semen samples from 786 men and matched them with fertile counterparts, unearthed compelling insights.
Analysis revealed a significant association between low sperm levels and the occurrence of specific cancers among relatives.
For men diagnosed with azoospermia, the condition characterised by the absence of sperm in the ejaculate, the study uncovered elevated risks of various cancers within family circles.
These included bone and joint cancer, soft tissue cancer such as sarcoma, uterine cancer, Hodgkin lymphoma and thyroid cancer.
Similarly, families of men with severe oligozoospermia, characterised by markedly low sperm counts, also faced heightened risks of specific cancers.
These included colon cancer, bone and joint cancer, and testicular cancer, although there was a notable decrease in the risk of oesophagal cancer within these family units.
Dr Ramsay emphasised the importance of these findings in understanding both cancer and infertility mechanisms.
She highlighted that shared cancer risk patterns among family members suggest underlying genetic, environmental or behavioural factors at play.
She said: ‘Our study identified several unique patterns of cancer risk in families of men with poor fertility. When family members share cancer risk patterns, it suggests that they have genetic, environmental or health behaviours in common. Genetic and environmental exposures can also act together to increase cancer risk.’
Through meticulous examination of familial cancer histories spanning decades, researchers were able to identify distinct patterns of cancer risk associated with male fertility issues.
In addition to pinpointing specific cancer types, the study uncovered clusters of familial multicancer patterns within both azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia cohorts.
The research also highlighted a concerning trend of certain cancers manifesting at younger ages within these familial clusters.
Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) within families of sub-fertile men exhibited elevated risks of cancers such as breast, thyroid, melanoma, testicular, cervical, sarcoma, and lymphoma.
This discovery underscores the urgent need for further investigation into the unique interplay between AYA cancers and male infertility.
Researchers concluded that identifying families with similar cancer risk patterns offers opportunities for targeted gene discovery and environmental risk factor research.
They added that, ultimately, this would lead to more precise risk predictions and enhanced counselling for patients and their families.
