Are Black Men at Risk for Early Prostate Cancer

Black men are disproportionately affected by prostate cancer and more than twice as likely to die from the disease, when compared to their white counterparts.

Among black men, family history of cancer and genetic variants are key risk factors linked to the early-onset of prostate cancer, a study involving Duke Health researchers has found.

Kathleen Cooney, M.D., chair of the Duke Department of Medicine, is the senior author of the study appearing online in the journal JCO Precision Oncology.

Black Men and Prostate Cancer

Researchers looked to address this health disparity by identifying genetic variants in black patients diagnosed with early-onset prostate cancer.

Prostate Specific Antigen [PSA] & Prostate Cancer Diagnosis
PSA blood test is specific to prostate gland but not necessarily a cancer specific test but is commonly used to diagnose prostate cancer.

‘DNA damage repair genes and HOXB13 gene are associated with hereditary prostate cancer in White men.’

They sequenced the germline DNA of 743 black men diagnosed with prostate cancer at 62 years of age or younger. This is DNA found in men’s sperm cells, meaning it would contain genetic changes that could be passed on to a child.

Researchers identified 26 variants in 14 genes that could cause disease among 30 men, approximately 4% of the patients studied.

“We completed sequencing at Duke and our results reveal that men who had certain genetic variants were more likely to have a close relative diagnosed with cancer, have a higher prostate-specific antigen at time of diagnosis, and have more severe cases,” Cooney said.

Biochemical Recurrence of Prostate Cancer
Biochemical recurrence (BCR) of prostate cancer is a condition that occurs in men who have previously been cured of prostate cancer. In BCR, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is elevated above normal.

“We need to take a closer look at genetic associations to learn more about the susceptibility black men have to developing prostate cancer,” Cooney said. “This could potentially reduce health disparities.”

The reason for poor outcomes among black men diagnosed with prostate cancer includes both biological and societal causes, such as access to health care. Data from a previous study reveals genetic make-up may account for up to 40% of all prostate cancer cases.

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“If men know they have a family history of cancer, it’s important to talk to a doctor and consider genetic testing. If they end up having a mutation, they’re encouraged to have cancer screenings earlier and more frequently,” Cooney said.

Additional authors of the study include Matthew Trendowski, Christopher Sample, Tara Baird, Azita Sadeghpour, David Moon, Julie Ruterbusch, and Jennifer Beebe-Dimmer.

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The study received funding support from the Department of Defense (W81XWH-16-1-0713) and the National Institutes of Health (3T32 HG008955-04S1).

Source-Eurekalert