Testicular cancer can be overcome, but it can have serious side effects, including male infertility.  That’s why a recent finding by British scientists studying testicular cancer is so exciting.

The scientists have been able to isolate three genetic risk factors (the genes are called TERT, ATF7IP and DMRT1) for testicular cancer, findings that they hope will someday lead to early prevention (and cure) of a disease that’s been known to rob men of their fertility.

Men between the ages of 15 and 45 are at the greatest risk for testicular cancer, which can be treated but often leaves the men with fertility problems.  If genes can tell early who is most likely to have testicular cancer, it opens the door for ways to keep male fertility intact.