Dr Elizabeth Rapley
Dr Elizabeth Rapley is the project leader for the Testicular Cancer Genetics Team and works closely with Professor Mike Stratton.
Dr Rapley has a specialist interest in the genetic causes of testicular cancer and co-ordinates the International Testicular Cancer Linkage Corsortium (ITCLC): a large worldwide collaboration which includes all scientists interested in genetic susceptibility to testicular cancer.
In a small proportion of patients another family member is also affected with testicular cancer, this is usually a father or a brother. Brothers of patients with testicular cancer have a 10 fold greater risk of developing the disease than men without a affected relative. This is much higher than for most other cancer types and suggests that susceptibilty genes are very important in this disease. Little is known about what causes testicular cancer and it is hoped that by studying these rare families we might gain insights into the biology of this disease.
Current projects include studies to identify testicular cancer susceptibility genes and studies looking at the risk factors for testicular cancer in patients with the disease and in their male relatives.
