Prostate Cancer Crystal Ball

One in 9 men is diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime. But black men have a 75% higher risk compared to white men. A new study shows genetics play a part and more importantly, the results can help develop a risk score to improve diagnosis and early treatment for prostate cancer. This study involved the most diverse genetic analysis of prostate cancer ever with men of Asian, African, Hispanic and European ancestries.

The prostate is a gland between the bladder and the penis and produces the fluid in semen. When scientists compared genomic data from 170,000 men with prostate cancer with 127,000 men without it, they found 86 new genetic variants. Then they modeled the data, looking at the interactions of genetic factors. They found men of African ancestry have on average twice the prostate cancer risk of men of European ancestry. Men of Asian ancestry have three quarters the risk of white men.

But they could not find markers to explain why Black men are at higher risk for more aggressive disease. Other factors could explain this including access to healthcare. The key takeaway from this study is the discovery of new genetic markers that can improve predictions for which men will get prostate cancer.

The idea is that one day a genetic test can tell men if they face a higher risk so that they can get early and frequent testing to save their lives.