NIH Study Links Living Environment to Prostate Cancer Risk in Men of West African Genetic Descent

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Monday, September 16, 2020

Chronic stress may increase the risk of heart disease in men living in poor neighborhoods.

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According to a study conducted by the National Institutes of Health, men of West African descent were more likely to develop prostate cancer than men from wealthier neighborhoods. These findings indicate that neighborhood may influence how genetic ancestry affects prostate cancer risk. This study was first published in September 2024. JAMA Network Open.

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The researchers noted that most black Americans in the United States have West African genetic heritage. The researchers found that West African ancestry has been associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer in black men. This risk is higher than any other American group. It is unclear whether other factors are involved in this ancestry-related risk.

Researchers at the NIH Center for Research on Cancer are studying how West African genetic ancestry and neighborhood environments may interact to influence prostate cancer risk. Cancer Research Center The National Cancer Institute conducted a long-term study of 1,469 self-identified black and white men in the Baltimore metropolitan area. Researchers determined the men's West African ancestry through genetic markers, as well as neighborhood socioeconomic status based on factors such as unemployment rate, household income and poverty percentage.

The researchers then combined the association between this genetic ancestry and neighborhood environment with prostate cancer risk. They found that West African ancestry is associated with prostate cancer risk in men who live in less affluent neighborhoods.

Researchers have speculated that increased cancer risk in disadvantaged neighborhoods may be caused by chronic stress, such as racial discrimination and housing discrimination. Chronic stress can also affect the immune system and increase inflammation.

What are you waiting for?

Stefan Ambs, Ph.D., MPH, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute

This study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of several different types of treatment.

West African genetic ancestry, deprived neighborhood and prostate cancer“September 16, 2024” will be released JAMA Network Open.

The National Cancer Institute: NCI leads the National Cancer Program, NIH, and its efforts to reduce the prevalence of cancer and improve the lives of cancer patients. NCI provides extramural funded support for a variety of cancer training and research through contracts and grants. NCI’s intramural research program conducts innovative, transdisciplinary basic, translational, and clinical research, as well as epidemiologic and early detection and treatment research, at the NIH Clinic Center, the world’s largest research hospital. Learn more about NCI intramural research. Cancer Research Center. If you would like to learn more about cancer, please visit cancer.gov or contact the NCI Contact Center at 1-800-4CANCER (800-422-6237)

The National Institutes of Health: The NIH is the medical research agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It includes 27 institutes and centers. The NIH, the national medical research agency, is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is responsible for conducting basic, translational, and clinical medical research and investigating causes, treatments, and cures. Visit the NIH for more information about its programs. www.nih.gov.

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