Tobago Prostate Survey: Prostate Cancer Risk in a Large Population-Based Study of Men of African Descent
Abstract
We hypothesized that the elevated risk for prostate cancer, observed in African Americans compared with whites, is present in all populations of African descent suggesting that genetic and/or shared metabolic and lifestyle factors, rather than environmental factors, are the main determinants of risk. The specific aims were to conduct a population based prostate cancer screening of the male residents, aged 50-79, on the Caribbean island of Tobago (recruitment goal, 2346 men) in order to estimate the screening detected prevalence rate of prostate cancer, and to conduct a pilot case control study (200 men) of conventional risk factors and molecular markers. This study, which we believe is the first involving screening a large Afro- Caribbean population diagnosed prostate cancer among the first 1645 screened men, aged 50-79, residing on the island of Tobago. Our data from this study support our hypothesis that, as observed in African American men, Afro-Caribbean men experience a high risk for prostate cancer. Results from the pilot case control studies suggest that sex hormone related polymorphisms and surrogate hormone measures are related to prostate cancer. This Tobago population of West African descent shares considerable genetic ancestry with African Americans and provides a uniquely valuable opportunity for the study of prostate cancer risk. The data emerging from this study is expanding our understanding of the contribution and interaction of environmental, genetic and metabolic factors to risk for prostate cancer. We expect that these findings will enable us to reduce the risk for prostate cancer among men of West African descent.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADB274372
Entities
People
- Clareann H. Bunker
Organizations
- University of Pittsburgh