Researchers have found that relatives of men whose fertility is reduced due to low or absent sperm face a higher likelihood of developing several cancers, sometimes at younger ages. This association was reported in a study published in Human Reproduction that examined the familial cancer risk linked to male infertility.
The study analyzed medical information from 786 men who sought medical help for fertility problems between 1996 and 2017 and compared it with data from 5,674 men who had children with no known fertility concerns. To strengthen the analysis, researchers also reviewed cancer incidence among the relatives of these men using a U.S. population database. This multi-source approach aimed to clarify whether there is a familial cancer signal related to male reproductive health concerns.
For relatives of men with no sperm, the analysis showed an elevated risk for several cancer types. In particular, there was a notable increase in cancers of the bones and joints, soft tissue cancers, cancers of the uterus, Hodgkin lymphoma, and thyroid cancer, with the first two showing the strongest relative increases. The findings suggest a pattern in which certain cancers appear more often in families where the male index case has a complete absence of sperm compared with the general population.
Among relatives of men with very low sperm counts, the study found higher risks for colon cancer, bone and joint cancers, and testicular cancer. Conversely, esophageal cancer occurred less frequently in this group compared with what would be expected in the general population. These results underscore the possibility that the genetic or biological factors influencing a man’s fertility could be linked to the cancer risk profile seen in his family, though the magnitude of risk and its consistency across groups require careful interpretation.
The researchers emphasize that certain inherited traits may simultaneously affect fertility and predispose relatives to cancer. They note that additional investigations are needed to clarify the underlying mechanisms that connect male reproductive health with cancer risk in relatives. A more precise understanding could eventually lead clinicians to provide better-informed cancer risk assessments for men facing fertility challenges and for their families, enabling proactive guidance and monitoring where appropriate.
Overall, the findings highlight the importance of considering family medical history when evaluating fertility issues and potential cancer risk. They invite further research into genetic and biological pathways that bridge reproductive health and oncologic outcomes, with the goal of improving prevention, screening, and individualized care for affected men and their relatives.