Living in disadvantaged neighborhoods may be contributing to higher levels of aggressive prostate cancer amongst Black men, according to a new study.
Released by a group of researchers from institutions such as the University of Maryland School of Medicine, the study analyzed the information of over 200 Black men and white men with prostate cancer who previously had undergone surgery to remove their prostate.
Looking specifically at the men’s stress-related genes as well as their addresses at the time of their diagnoses, they found that Black men were more likely to have inflammation. With the inflammation, they were reportedly at a higher risk of developing aggressive prostate cancer.
Although five genes were impacted, the gene that was most affected was HTR6, which exists as part of the pathway that sends messages from the brain to the body. Living in neighborhoods that have historically suffered from racial segregation and redlining and have often been denied mortgages due to race significantly negatively impacts these stress genes.
“An individual’s RNA levels can change in response to stress, and we and others hypothesize that resulting biologic effects, such as increased inflammation, may contribute to increased risk of aggressive prostate cancer,” said senior author and Assistant Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health, Kathryn Hughes Barry PhD, MPH per a press release.
Those living in disadvantaged neighborhoods have significantly higher activity of stress-related genes, which could contribute to higher rates of aggressive prostate cancer in African American men, finds new study, published today in JAMA Network Open. https://t.co/khicBaC8bh
— University of Maryland School of Medicine (@UMmedschool) July 12, 2024
Black men have already been found to be more at risk of developing prostate cancer, according to older research.
According to a report by the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Black men are 70% more likely to develop prostate cancer when compared to any other demographic.
Once diagnosed, they’re nearly twice as likely to pass away from the cancer. Factors contributing to these higher rates include family history, smoking and age.
Black men are also genetically predisposed to develop prostate cancer. According to a study from the National Library of Medicine, these genetic predispositions include mutations in ERF, a repressor. Inherited cases have also been linked with mutations in a gene known as X285K which affects the prostate cancer susceptibility gene known as HX0B13.
To prevent the growth of cancers, medical professionals recommend getting screened earlier.
“Screening guidelines have been based on studies that included very few Black men, so they may underestimate the screening benefit for this group,” said oncologist Dr. Andrew Laccetti. “Overall, Black men may need earlier and more frequent screening than the general guidelines would suggest.”
