Prostate cancer is serious and the second most common form of cancer death in males in America. Is genetic testing for this cancer possible?

Certain cancers have well established genetic components, the best known being breast cancer and the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. The first prostate cancer gene was discovered way back in 1996 by a team of Swedish and US scientists. Genetic research and techniques have enormously expanded since then, and although other genes involved have been identified, their exact roles have not been uncovered.

In studies of men, their genetic profiles, and prostate cancer, statistically significant relationships have been discovered. However, some prostate cancers are slow growing and even harmless while others are very aggressive and deadly. The tests have not been able to distinguish these. Also there are concerns of privacy. What if companies and health care providers used these test results to help determine whether to offer employment or insurance. Even if illegal, these types of crimes have occurred in the past. And other concern is worry: a man who, with current testing technology, was shown to be at a high risk could worry needlessly.

Currently genetic testing for prostate cancer, although promising, is experimental. For example there are no currently available tests and the FDA has not approved it in the US yet. When and if tests are available, men at risk, for example with family histories, may choose to be tested and if positive aggressively screen for early detection. This is a promising area of research that bears watching for developments.