Gene Found for Testicular Cancer

Researchers have known that testicular cancer has a genetic link because it’s been identified that men with fathers or brothers that have the cancer usually have a likelihood of developing it themselves.  However, new developments in gene research has brought more information to this observation of the genetic link to testicular cancer.

In a  recent news break, the gene KITLG has been identified as the culprit in testicular cancer.  Men who have two copies of this gene are at a 4.5 times higher rate of developing it as opposed to men who have a different version of the gene.

You either have these rare genes or you don’t.  The way you get the genes is from your father, grandfather and it goes back from there. If you are a man and your brother has testicular cancer, it just means that your father probably had the genes and passed them on to him…but it doesn’t mean that you inherited them.

How do you know if you did inherit the two KITLG genes?  Genetic DNA testing.  Contact your doctor and let him/her know that you have a family history of testicular cancer and you want to be tested.  Just know that many insurance companies are not paying for genetic DNA testing yet, especially for new findings such as this one. Call your insurance company to find out and if not, ask how much one of these tests will run because different companies charge different amounts.

(Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nostri-imago/2869515506/)

June 12th, 2009 by Marcelina Hardy | Posted in DNA Testing, Genetics and Health | (1)