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Diving into your family history can give you more information than where your hair color or height came from. If you know that prostate cancer runs in your family, you can better understand your own risk. Prostate cancer does run in families. Even knowing the history of other cancers — like breast and colon cancer — in your family members can help.
In this article, we’ll discuss how prostate cancer runs in families and the genetic changes that play a role. We’ll also cover when it’s a good idea to have genetic testing to better understand your risk of prostate cancer.
Research shows that prostate cancer runs in families. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) notes that up to 60 percent of prostate cancer risk can be inherited from family. Knowing your family history is key to getting early screening and treatment if needed.
Having a first-degree relative — like a father or a brother — with prostate cancer raises your risk. Overall, you’re 3.14 times as likely to develop prostate cancer if your brother was diagnosed at any age. Having a father with this cancer raises your risk by 2.35 times. There’s an even greater risk if they were diagnosed before they turned 65.
If a second-degree relative had prostate cancer, your chances of having it rise as well. For example, having a grandfather or uncle with this cancer makes it 2.52 times as likely that you develop it yourself. Be sure to talk with your loved ones about your family history of prostate cancer.
Just because you have a family history of prostate cancer, it doesn’t mean you’ll develop it as well. There are several other factors that play a role in cancer risk. It’s also possible to develop prostate cancer without a family history. This is why screening and healthy lifestyle choices are vital to your overall health.
Your genetics influence everything about you — including your risk for prostate cancer. Genes provide the instruction manual to make proteins. Certain gene mutations (changes) lead to an increased risk of prostate cancer. Some of these are inherited gene mutations passed down through families.
Cancer cells develop when DNA damage lets them grow and divide uncontrollably. Some genes are responsible for fixing damaged DNA to prevent cancer. When these genes mutate (change), they no longer work.
The BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes normally help repair damaged DNA. Mutations in these genes can raise the risk of cancer, especially breast cancer and ovarian cancer. We now know that changes in the BRCA1/2 genes can lead to prostate cancer as well. Having BRCA2 mutations makes you two to six times as likely to develop prostate cancer. Around 1 out of every 100 prostate cancer cases has changes in the BRCA1 gene.
Under normal conditions, a person has two copies of most genes — one from each of parent. A person needs only one mutated copy of the BRCA1/2 gene to raise their risk for prostate cancer.
If your mother has a history of breast or ovarian cancer, it’s a good idea to have genetic testing for prostate and other types of cancer. This will help you better understand your cancer risk.
The HOXB13 gene is known as a tumor suppressor gene (TSG). Its job is to stop cells from growing and dividing uncontrollably. When a TSG becomes mutated, cells grow too quickly and become cancerous.
Changes in the HOXB13 gene raise a person’s risk for prostate cancer. Studies show that people with HOXB13 mutations tend to be diagnosed at a younger age. These mutations are passed down through families. They’re usually found in people of Scandinavian descent. However, just because you inherit a HOXB13 mutation doesn’t mean you’ll develop prostate cancer.
Lynch syndrome is a genetic condition passed down through families. It raises the risk of certain types of cancer, including colon cancer. People living with Lynch syndrom are also two to six times more likely to have prostate cancer compared to those without Lynch syndrome.
People with Lynch syndrome have mutations in genes that help repair damaged DNA. There are five genes involved in this condition:
Studies show that changes in other genes play a role in prostate cancer risk. They’re less common than BRCA1/2 or HOXB13 mutations.
For example, changes in ATM and CHEK2 are seen in 2 out of every 100 cases of prostate cancer. Mutations in RAD51D and PALB2 account for 0.4 out of every 100 cases.
Genetic testing can find these changes to help you better understand your chances of developing prostate cancer.
Your genetics are only one part of your prostate cancer risk. Studies also show that your age, race, ethnicity, and lifestyle choices play a role. Some of these risk factors — like lifestyle choices — can be changed. On the other hand, you can’t change your age, race, or family history.
According to the American Cancer Society, older age plays a large role in prostate cancer risk. A person’s chances of developing prostate cancer rise quickly once they turn 50 years old. Around 60 percent of prostate cancer cases are diagnosed in adults ages 65 and older.
Your race and ethnicity also play a role in prostate cancer risk. Overall, according to Mayo Clinic, Black people have a higher risk of prostate cancer in the United States than other races and ethnicities. According to the American Cancer Society, African American men and Caribbean men of African ancestry with prostate cancer tend to be diagnosed at a younger age and to have more advanced disease.
However, prostate cancer is less common in Hispanic, Latino, and Asian American men than it is non-Hispanic White men, according to the American Cancer Society. Researchers aren’t quite sure why this is the case.
Researchers don’t fully understand why prostate cancer rates differ across racial and ethnic groups. Differences likely reflect a mix of factors, including genetics, environment and lifestyle, and inequities in screening, diagnosis, and access to high-quality care.
Studies are mixed on whether obesity plays a role in prostate cancer risk. Some research shows that obesity is associated with faster-growing cancer. It also increases the chances of your cancer growing back after you complete treatment. Your doctor can help you understand your individual risk and make healthier choices.
There are some factors you have control over that can limit your chances of developing prostate cancer. Some studies show that it’s best to avoid certain substances and activities to avoid an increased risk. These include:
Screening is a shared decision between you and your doctor. Screening tests can include:
If you have a family history of prostate cancer, you may want to have genetic testing. Health experts recommend getting screened if you have a first- or second-degree relative who was diagnosed with:
Screening is also recommended if you have two or more first- or second-degree relatives with a history of these cancers at any age:
Genetic testing can help guide other screening tests and lead to an early diagnosis. If you have a BRCA2 mutation, you should start screening for prostate cancer around age 40. The sooner you diagnose prostate cancer, the better your treatment and outcomes are.
If you have a strong family history of prostate cancer or other related cancers, talk to a genetic counselor. They’re healthcare professionals who can arrange genetic testing and help you better understand your risk factors. They’ll also recommend screening tests for your specific case.
On MyProstateCancerTeam, people share their experiences with prostate cancer, get advice, and find support from others who understand.
Do you have a family history of prostate cancer and have since been diagnosed? Let others know in the comments below.
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