The genetic basis of prostate cancer is complex and there are likely many different genes that modify risk. A major prostate cancer susceptibility gene has not yet been identified, but areas in the genome that might harbour prostate cancer–related genes are being investigated. Several studies show that 3 adjacent regions on chromosome 8 are associated with increased prostate cancer risk.1
Bottom line
None of the candidate genes is individually associated with a high risk of prostate cancer predisposition. It is likely that multiple genes contribute to the risk. At present, clinical genetic testing for inherited prostate cancer susceptibility is not available.
The complete Gene Messenger—Prostate Cancer by the GenetiKit research team is available on CFPlus.* Past Gene Messenger articles can be accessed on-line at www.cfp.ca. On the home page, click on Collections in the left-hand menu, then click on Genetics.
Acknowledgment
Funding was provided by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
Footnotes
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Competing interests
None declared
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The GenetiKit research team, a group of family physicians, genetic counselors and geneticists, designed the Gene Messenger series to provide practical information to help family physicians and their patients make informed choices about rapidly emerging genetic discoveries. The series is a collection of up-to-date, definitive, short reviews on genetics topics that have made headlines, and offers recommendations regarding referral for genetic services or testing.
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↵* The Gene Messenger on prostate cancer is available at www.cfp.ca. Go to the full CFPlus GO text of this article on-line, then click on CFPlus in the menu at the top right-hand side of the page.
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