Screening for testicular cancer Familial predisposition ignored

EDITOR, - Joan Austoker clearly evaluates the advantages and disadvantages of population screening for testicular cancer.1 We agree that screening of the general population cannot be justified on present evidence and that greater awareness of this tumour in the general population and among the medical profession should be encouraged. Austoker does not, however, discuss the now substantial evidence concerning familial predisposition to testicular cancer. Forman et al showed that sons of men with the disease had a relative risk of developing it themselves of 4.0 and that brothers of men with the disease had a relative risk of 9.8.2 Thus siblings of patients with testicular cancer have a …