News | Study Finds Self-Reported Male Infertility May Be Associated With Invasive Breast Cancer Risk
A study published in the open-access journal Breast Cancer Research found that self-reported infertility in men may be associated with the risk of invasive breast cancer. Led by a team from The Institute of Cancer Research, the study examined 1,998 men with breast cancer in England and Wales and compared them with 1,597 men with no history of cancer.
In the cancer group, 112 men (5.6%) reported infertility, compared with 80 men (5.0%) in the control group. The proportion of men without children was also significantly higher among cancer patients (383, or 19.2%) than among controls (174).
The study focused mainly on invasive breast cancer, in which cancer cells spread beyond the primary site. Among the 1,998 breast cancer patients, 47 (2.6%) reported infertility, compared with 22 (1.4%) in the control group. Researchers said this statistically significant difference suggests a possible association between male infertility and invasive breast cancer.
Notably, the study found no significant evidence linking breast cancer risk with “partner infertility” or “unexplained infertility.” Likewise, the data showed no statistically significant association between infertility and noninvasive breast cancer, in which cancer cells have not spread.
“Our data suggest that male infertility may be associated with invasive breast cancer,” said study co-author Dr. Michael Jones. “Breast cancer is rare in men, and its causes remain poorly understood, partly because previous studies have included too few participants. We therefore recommend further research into this possible association, particularly the physiological mechanisms that may be involved, such as endocrine dysfunction.”
To address potential confounding factors, the team conducted a sensitivity analysis excluding people with heavy alcohol use, smoking, a family history of breast cancer, or liver disease. These factors did not materially affect the conclusions. However, the study did not fully control for obesity. Some analyses excluded men with Klinefelter syndrome (11), a previous history of cancer (9), severe obesity (29), or testicular disease (169), as well as 3 people who were female at birth.
The researchers noted limitations in relying on self-reported infertility. Fertility is affected by many factors involving both partners; men may not report children outside marriage or may have chosen not to have children. Missing medical records also increased the possibility of recall bias. The team recommended confirming infertility status against medical records in future studies to improve data accuracy.
The paper, “Infertility and risk of breast cancer in men: a national case–control study in England and Wales,” was published in Breast Cancer Research in 2022. DOI: 10.1186/s13058-022-01517-z.
News | Study finds self-reported male infertility may be associated with the risk of invasive breast cancer
News | Study Finds Self-Reported Male Infertility May Be Associated With Invasive Breast Cancer Risk
A study published in the open-access journal Breast Cancer Research found that self-reported infertility in men may be associated with the risk of invasive breast cancer. Led by a team from The Institute of Cancer Research, the study examined 1,998 men with breast cancer in England and Wales and compared them with 1,597 men with no history of cancer.
In the cancer group, 112 men (5.6%) reported infertility, compared with 80 men (5.0%) in the control group. The proportion of men without children was also significantly higher among cancer patients (383, or 19.2%) than among controls (174).
The study focused mainly on invasive breast cancer, in which cancer cells spread beyond the primary site. Among the 1,998 breast cancer patients, 47 (2.6%) reported infertility, compared with 22 (1.4%) in the control group. Researchers said this statistically significant difference suggests a possible association between male infertility and invasive breast cancer.
Notably, the study found no significant evidence linking breast cancer risk with “partner infertility” or “unexplained infertility.” Likewise, the data showed no statistically significant association between infertility and noninvasive breast cancer, in which cancer cells have not spread.
“Our data suggest that male infertility may be associated with invasive breast cancer,” said study co-author Dr. Michael Jones. “Breast cancer is rare in men, and its causes remain poorly understood, partly because previous studies have included too few participants. We therefore recommend further research into this possible association, particularly the physiological mechanisms that may be involved, such as endocrine dysfunction.”
To address potential confounding factors, the team conducted a sensitivity analysis excluding people with heavy alcohol use, smoking, a family history of breast cancer, or liver disease. These factors did not materially affect the conclusions. However, the study did not fully control for obesity. Some analyses excluded men with Klinefelter syndrome (11), a previous history of cancer (9), severe obesity (29), or testicular disease (169), as well as 3 people who were female at birth.
The researchers noted limitations in relying on self-reported infertility. Fertility is affected by many factors involving both partners; men may not report children outside marriage or may have chosen not to have children. Missing medical records also increased the possibility of recall bias. The team recommended confirming infertility status against medical records in future studies to improve data accuracy.
The paper, “Infertility and risk of breast cancer in men: a national case–control study in England and Wales,” was published in Breast Cancer Research in 2022. DOI: 10.1186/s13058-022-01517-z.
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