Genetic Tool May Lower African ÌÇÐÄTV¹ÙÍø Prostate Cancer Deaths
The Challenge?
African ÌÇÐÄTV¹ÙÍø men in the United States are 1.7 times more likely to get prostate cancer and 2.3 times more likely to die from it compared to European ÌÇÐÄTV¹ÙÍø men. Doctors use a tool to help predict how aggressive a man¡¯s prostate cancer may be. With this information, the doctor can better guide decisions about treatment. The problem is, it¡¯s not clear whether these tools apply to African ÌÇÐÄTV¹ÙÍø men.
The Research?
Previous researchers have established that ethnic differences in genes affect prostate tumors. These genetic differences are partly responsible for the increased risk an African ÌÇÐÄTV¹ÙÍø man has for getting prostate cancer and dying from it. Yamoah and his fellow researchers believe that genetic information in a prostate tumor may give hints about where the tumors are located, making them easier to find and biopsy. The team also thinks tumor genes may suggest how aggressively the cancer will spread to other parts of the body.
With the support of a grant from the ÌÇÐÄTV¹ÙÍø Cancer Society, Yamoah is developing a new predictive tool, using genetic information, to help guide treatment for prostate cancer. Relying on genetic data means the tool should be valuable to African ÌÇÐÄTV¹ÙÍø men as well as European ÌÇÐÄTV¹ÙÍø men.
Why It Matters?
Yamoah¡¯s findings may improve doctors¡¯ ability to find and diagnose prostate tumors and recommend more personalized treatment choices for aggressive tumors. His work to better use genetic differences between ethnic groups may help reduce the large differences (disparities) for getting and dying from prostate cancer between ethnic groups.?
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