Genetic link to prostate cancer risk identified

A genetic difference could explain why Caucasian men are more likely than Hispanic men to suffer from prostate cancer, a new paper has suggested.

Published in the journal Clinical Cancer Research, the research showed that differences in the gene which control the actions of Vitamin D in the body and those that are linked to the process of converting testosterone to dihydrotestosterone could be linked to increased prostate cancer risks.

The scientists reported that complex interactions between the genes seemed to dictate the likelihood of suffering from the cancer.

Dr Kathleen Torkko explained: "Prostate cancer is not likely caused by a few genes, but by multiple genes from different pathways.

"This study illustrates the importance of examining multiple genes to understand genetic risks for prostate cancer and differences seen by ethnicity.

"Going forward, we need not only a better understanding of genetics but a better understanding of race and ethnicity. Studying disease by race is a complex issue, and the public needs to understand that we are trying to raise biological, rather than social, questions."

The team said that the research could lead to better methods for predicting prostate cancer risks, as currently detection methods are not very reliable.