A new UK pilot study has identified a genetic factor in Black men’s elevated risk of prostate cancer – which could improve early cancer detection.
Researchers from the University of Essex hope these findings could lead to a test to identify those at greatest risk of developing the disease – this may improve early detection and survival rates in this high-risk group.
In the future, researchers say this test could be applied to all men to transform patient outcomes.
Prostate cancer is the second most common male cancer, with 52,000 men a year diagnosed in the UK. 1 in 4 Black men are at a greater risk of developing the prostate cancer in their lifetime.
The year-long pilot study, funded by Prostate Cancer Research, examined the DNA of more than 75,000 people which led to the discovery of genetic code present in almost all white men, but in only 50% of Black men.
Higher levels of the protein ‘androgen receptor’ are thought to be present in Black men, and whilst previous studies have suggested this, researchers have not understood why, until now.
This unpublished research identified mutations in three regions of DNA that control androgen receptor levels. In addition, the study identified many other mutations that differ across populations that may affect men’s prostate cancer risk. This discovery could lead to a genetic test that could facilitate early cancer detection.
Dr Greg Brooke, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Essex, who co-led the research, said: “Such tests could revolutionise the management of this disease in a similar way that mammograms have for breast cancer”.
Dr Naomi Elster, the Director of Communications at Prostate Cancer Research, said: “For far too long, people have known about the prostate cancer disparity between Black and white men and not done enough about it. This vital research is changing that, giving us some much-needed answers about why Black men are at greater risk.”
