Private MD News

Study shows prostate cancer may run in families

Category: Prostate

Men who have a history of prostate cancer in their families should consider getting tested, as a new study has found that the disease may be genetically linked.

The study found that men who have brothers with prostate cancer were 23 times more likely to develop the cancer themselves, as compared to men in the control group who had no family history of prostate cancer.

Researcher Kari Hemminski said that the findings could lead to more efficient screening practices for doctors, by letting them know who is at higher risk for developing the cancer.

Prostate exams have been debated, as many experts contend they lead to overdiagnosis, which burdens the healthcare system.

"Our results provide a good guidance for doctors. If a man has several affected relatives who may even have been diagnosed at a young age, then his personal risk is substantially increased," Hemminki said.

Government figures show that more than 200,000 men developed prostate cancer in 2006, the most recent year statistics were available.