Children of men with low sperm counts are at greater risk of developing cancers.
The children of men with low sperm counts are more likely to develop cancer
A landmark study at The University of Utah has discovered that the families of men who have a lack of sperm were up to 150 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with tumours than the offspring of males who had normal sperm counts.
The risk and type of cancer varied significantly depending on how low the sperm count was - but there were marked increases in the chances of getting bone and joint cancer (156 per cent) and thyroid cancer (54 per cent) among family members of men with low sperm.
Study author Joemy Ramsay said: "When family members share cancer risk patterns, it suggests that they have genetic, environmental, or health behaviours in common.
"By identifying which groups of families have similar cancer risk patterns we can improve our understanding of the biological mechanisms of both cancer and infertility.
"It will help us to assess the risk of cancer for families and provide improved patient counselling."