Prostate cancer: benefits of preventive genetic testing
Cancer is a growing concern in today’s society. As we’ve seen in previous posts on this blog, the number of diagnosed cancer cases is increasing year after year, and a 50% increase in these new diagnoses is estimated over the next 20 years. Of all the different types of cancer, prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed in men (more than 30,000 cases were diagnosed in Spain in 2021). Prostate cancer in men has a strong hereditary component. To address this concern, genetic screening for prevention has become a fundamental tool in the fight against hereditary cancer in general, especially in the case of prostate cancer.
What is hereditary cancer?
Hereditary cancer refers to the genetic predisposition to developing cancer due to mutations, which we call pathogenic genetic variants, in certain genes. These variants can be passed down from generation to generation, meaning that if one family member has a genetic variant linked to a type of hereditary cancer, other family members may also be at risk. What is even less known is the fact that a variant in a specific gene can increase your risk not only of the same type of cancer as the specific family member who has already had the disease, but also of other types. Thus, there are certain genetic variants that can influence susceptibility to multiple types of cancer in the same family. A classic example of this is the variants in the BRCA2 gene, which can be linked to both breast cancer and prostate cancer, among other cancers.
BRCA genes and their role in hereditary cancer
The BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, key to our cells’ DNA repair mechanisms, are two of the most studied genes related to hereditary cancer. In fact, the gene’s name is an acronym for Breast Cancer. Carriers of variants in these genes have a higher risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer in the case of BRCA1 , and breast, ovarian, pancreatic, and prostate cancer in the case of BRCA2 . This means that a variant in the BRCA2 gene can affect multiple types of cancer in the same family. Let’s take the example of a family in which a woman has a pathogenic genetic variant in the BRCA2 gene. This variant confers a 69% risk to that woman of developing breast cancer throughout her lifetime. This risk is multiplied almost sixfold, since the population risk in Spain of developing breast cancer throughout her lifetime is 12%. Beyond this specific risk in this woman, plus her 17% risk of ovarian cancer, there is the possibility that other family members, both women and men, have also inherited the same genetic variant. Men who have inherited it will have up to a 60% risk of developing prostate cancer over the course of their lives, representing a risk five times higher than the population risk of 12%.
Benefits of genetic testing
1. Early identification of risk
One of the greatest benefits of undergoing genetic testing for preventive medicine is the ability to identify early the risk of developing different types of hereditary cancer, including prostate cancer. Early detection is crucial for successful treatment and, in some cases, can even lead to a reduction and minimization of the risk of developing the disease.
2. Access to personalized preventive medicine
Thanks to the information that a genetic study can provide, medical care and treatment can be adapted.
Monitoring the specific needs of each individual. This may include regular checkups, dietary or healthier lifestyle changes, and, in some cases, even considering preventive medical interventions to reduce or minimize the risk of developing the disease.
3. Making informed decisions
A genetic prevention study provides individuals and their families with the necessary information to make
informed decisions about your health. This may include decisions about prevention, screening, and treatment options.
4. Reduction of emotional impact
Knowing you are at risk can be emotionally challenging, but it also provides an opportunity to make decisions.
proactive measures to reduce this risk. Genetic information can help people cope with the situation in a less stressful way.
5. Protect future generations
Genetic information is also valuable for future generations. If genetic mutations are identified in a family, this can help protect future generations by providing them with the opportunity to undergo testing and take preventive measures at an early age when they are able to understand the consequences of a genetic study.
In short, preventive genetic testing is an essential tool in the fight against hereditary cancer, including prostate cancer. If you have a family history of prostate, breast, or ovarian cancer and are concerned about your health, consider undergoing preventive genetic testing and take a step toward a healthier and more confident future.
Make an appointment with our specialists. The first visit is completely free and will allow the doctor to learn about your personal and family history and assess which test is most appropriate for you.
