Study Finds Genetics a Factor in Prostate Cancer Risk

Like other types of illnesses, prostate cancer disproportionately affects men of color. While White participants are frequently overrepresented in research studies, Black men have a 75% higher risk of prostate cancer and are twice as likely to die from it than White men. A new study, published in Nature Genetics, found evidence that genetics account for some of these disparities, a finding that may lead to more effective screening strategies.

Conducted by scientists from the USC Center for Genetic Epidemiology and the Institute for Cancer Research in London, the study analyzed data from more than 200,000 men from around the world. It’s believed to be the largest, most diverse genetic analysis ever conducted for prostate cancer and possibly for all cancers.

The study found 86 previously undiscovered genetic variations that increase risk for prostate cancer, bringing the total to 269. Using a predictive model based on these risk factors, the researchers concluded men of African descent inherit about twice the prostate cancer risk of men of European ancestry, while men of Asian descent inherit only about three-quarters the risk of Whites.

“We not only found new markers of risk, but also demonstrated that, by combining genetic information across populations, we were able to identify a risk profile that can be applied across populations,” says Christopher Haiman, ScD, co-author of the study and professor of preventative medicine at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine.

The researchers believe the findings are a step toward more effectively detecting the disease at an early stage, when it is more treatable, through earlier and more frequent screening for those at higher risk. The study also highlights the need for future large-scale clinical trials to be more representative of the world’s diverse population. Jonathan W. Simons, MD, president and chief executive officer of the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PFC), says, “PFC is certain that identification of these very high-risk individuals will make a positive impact on this significant health care disparity.”