IS THERE A GENETIC LINK FOR PROSTATE CANCER?

 

Studies in both the United States and the United Kingdom have shown that the incidence of prostate cancer is higher among black men than white men. And, studies of US males have shown that black men are twice as likely to die from prostate cancer as white men.

But, researchers have not been able to determine if these differences are due to genetic predisposition or to other factors such as earlier diagnosis, more testing, delay in diagnosis, etc.

 

Now, a new British study suggests that black men really are biologically more susceptible to prostate cancer than white men.

The researchers reviewed hospital records from Bristol and London and concluded that black and white men had similar degrees of knowledge about prostate cancer, similar symptoms, and similar delays before seeing their family doctor.

The findings are leading researchers to believe that there very well could be a genetic difference to explain the difference in incidence between the white and black populations.