Risk factors: hereditary

What is hereditary prostate cancer?
Hereditary prostate cancer refers to prostate cancer that appears to be "running" in a family. In these families, it is suspected that alterations in specific genes (instructions found in every cell of our body that tell our body how to grow and develop) passed from generation to generation may play an important role in the development of prostate cancer. We may suspect that a family is at risk for hereditary prostate cancer if the following criteria are met:

• Three or more immediate family members (for example, father or brothers) diagnosed with prostate cancer, or;
  
  
• Prostate cancer in three generations on either side of the family (mother’s or father’s), or;
  
  
• Two family members diagnosed with prostate cancer at or before age 55

How common is hereditary prostate cancer?
It is estimated that about 5-10% of all cases may be classified as hereditary prostate cancer.

Could my family have an inherited form of cancer and not meet these criteria?
Yes, in some families that do not meet the criteria listed above, it still appears that cancer may be "running" in the family. For instance, in some cases there may be a family history of prostate cancer along with other cancers, such as breast or ovarian cancer, which can sometimes we associated with other types of hereditary cancer. Genetics professionals working in a cancer clinic can assess the likelihood of your family having an inherited or hereditary form of cancer.

If our family has a hereditary form of prostate cancer, what can we do about it?
It is important to remember that if your family appears to have a hereditary form of prostate cancer this does not mean that you will develop the cancer. It merely suggests that you may have an increased chance of developing prostate cancer compared to other people in the general population. Since each family is different, a genetic assessment of your family history is necessary to determine your personal chance to develop prostate cancer.

If an assessment reveals that you may have an increased chance of developing prostate cancer, you may wish to discuss surveillance options for prostate cancer with your doctor. Options include:

• rectal examination
  
  
• a blood test for prostate specific antigen (PSA).

In families with hereditary prostate cancer, some individuals may be offered surveillance for prostate cancer at an earlier age, in the hopes of earlier detection and treatment of cancer. You may also wish to discuss with your doctor the role of diet in cancer development and prevention.

If my family has hereditary prostate cancer, is genetic testing available?
Genetic testing would involve looking for alterations in a specific gene that is involved in hereditary cancer. In most cases, we are unable to offer genetic testing for prostate cancer because the genes involved have not yet been identified. As research is ongoing to try to identify these genes, genetic testing may be possible for some families in the future.

Who can I speak with about my family history of prostate cancer?
If you are concerned about your family history of cancer and would like to speak to someone about the possibility of hereditary prostate cancer in your family, you may ask your family doctor or urologist to make a referral to:

Prostate Cancer Prevention Clinic
c/o The Prostate Centre
Princess Margaret Hospital
620 University Ave, Rm 4-911
Toronto, ON M5G 2M9
Phone: 416-946-4501 ext. 3815
Fax: 416-946-2771

As part of this program, genetic counselling is offered to people with a strong family history of cancer. Genetic counselling is a one-on-one session with a health professional with special training in genetics and includes a review of your "family tree", and a discussion of the most up-to-date information about genes and cancer, and the differences between "sporadic" cancers (which occur by chance) and "hereditary" cancers (which seem to "run" in families). You can receive information on your family’s risk of having a hereditary type of cancer, and have an assessment of your chance of developing prostate cancer based on your family history. Finally, you will learn about surveillance options for early detection of prostate cancer and prostate cancer prevention.

Expand All | Collapse All