Five gene variants heighten risk for prostate cancer, says scientists

As genetic research marches further into potential treatments for deadly health conditions, some scientists believe they have discovered some genetic origins of prostate cancer.

For a cancer type that was estimated to have over 218,000 new cases just last year, any sign of a potential breakthrough is very good news for the leading cancer type among American men. In a study released just this week, five specific genetic factors combined with a predisposition to prostate cancer from one's family history covered half of all prostate cancer cases in the country of Sweden.

Single genes have generally been the focus of much recent genetic research, and this study was unique in that it looked at a combination of several genes which may work together to produce a specific health outcome. Dr. Teri Manolio said "It gives us a new way of looking at genetic risk factors."

This Swedish study involved over 2,893 men with prostate cancer and 1,781 without cancer. Sweden was chosen due to similarities to the male population in the U.S. in terms of ethnicity.