It is well documented that men who have prostate cancer in their families have a higher risk of developing prostate cancer themselves. This is likely due, at least in part, to genetics.
So what do we know about the role of genetics in prostate cancer?
- We know that men who are identical twins have a much higher chance of both having prostate cancer than do men who are fraternal (or non-identical) twins. Since identical twins have the exact same set of genes (and non-identical twins do not), this suggests that there is a genetic cause for this discrepancy.
- We know that, in certain families with high numbers of men with prostate cancer, there are specific genes that likely directly contribute to the development of prostate cancer. A gene is a piece of DNA handed down from parents to children that "codes" for something in the body. For example, a number of genes working together determine a person's eye color, hair color, and innumerable other characteristics.
- We know that dozens of genes have been discovered that, when altered, can lead to cancers in animals. It's still not quite clear if the same holds true in humans, but it is likely that it does.
- We know that some rare syndromes exist where men can develop different types of cancers as they age, including prostate cancer. These syndromes are almost definitely do to genetic causes.
Overall, genes undoubtedly play a large role in the development of prostate cancer in many men. More research needs to be done to determine which men have prostate cancers that are genetically based, to diagnose cancer in those men earlier, and to develop genetics-based therapies to treat prostate cancer.
Sources:
Carter BS, Bova GS, Beaty TH, et al.: Hereditary prostate cancer: epidemiologic and clinical features. J Urol 150 (3): 797-802, 1993.
Page WF, Braun MM, Partin AW, et al.: Heredity and prostate cancer: a study of World War II veteran twins. Prostate 33 (4): 240-5, 1997.
Verhage BA, Baffoe-Bonnie AB, Baglietto L, et al.: Autosomal dominant inheritance of prostate cancer: a confirmatory study. Urology 57 (1): 97-101, 2001.
