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When most people think about hereditary cancer, breast and colon cancer are usually the first conditions that come to mind. But genetics can also play an important role in prostate cancer risk.

Melissa Janssen, MSN, ARNP, FNP-BC, and Alyssa Grissom, MSN, APRN, AGCNS, AOCNS, genetic nurse practitioners at the Nassif Community Cancer Center’s Genetics & Risk Assessment Clinic, say understanding your family history could help you and your health care provider make important decisions about cancer screening and prevention.

Can Prostate Cancer Run in Families?

Yes. While most prostate cancers are not inherited, some cases are linked to genetic changes that can be passed down through families.

“About 10 to 15 percent of cancers are related to inherited genetic changes,” Janssen says. “These are genes that someone is born with and can pass on to their children.”

Most cancers develop because of genetic damage that occurs during a person’s lifetime due to factors such as aging, smoking, environmental exposures and lifestyle choices. However, inherited genetic variants can increase a person’s risk of developing certain cancers, including prostate cancer.

What Genes Are Linked to Prostate Cancer?

Many people are familiar with the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes because of their connection to breast and ovarian cancer. But those same genes can also increase the risk of prostate cancer in men.

“We tend to think of BRCA1 and BRCA2 as breast cancer genes, but they can also raise prostate cancer risk,” Grissom says.

These are just two examples as there are other genes with prostate cancer risk.

Does Family History on My Father’s Side Matter?

Absolutely.

One common misconception is that hereditary cancer risk only comes from a mother’s side of the family. In reality, inherited cancer-related genes can come from either parent.

“We tell people not to focus only on one side of the family,” Janssen says. “A history of prostate cancer, breast cancer or other cancers on your father’s side can be just as important as your mother’s side.”

That’s why it’s important to know as much as possible about your family’s health history, including grandparents, aunts, uncles and siblings.

What Family History Should Raise Concern?

Health care providers look for certain patterns that may suggest an inherited cancer syndrome.

Some of the biggest red flags include:

• Multiple relatives with the same type of cancers (breast, ovarian, colon, prostate).
• Family members diagnosed with cancer younger than age 50.
• Individuals who have had more than one type of cancer.
• A combination of cancers that are known to occur together in hereditary syndromes, such as breast, ovarian, colon and prostate cancers.

“The younger someone is when they’re diagnosed, the more concerning it becomes from a genetics standpoint,” Grissom says.

For example, a relative diagnosed with colon cancer at age 45 may be more significant than a relative diagnosed in their late 80s.

If I Have a Genetic Risk, What Happens Next?

Having an inherited genetic variant does not mean you will definitely develop prostate cancer.

Instead, genetic testing can help identify people who may benefit from earlier or more frequent screening.

“The first thing we do is start screening earlier than we would for the average person,” Janssen says.

For men at increased genetic risk, prostate cancer screening may begin around age 40 or approximately 10 years before the age at which a close family member was diagnosed.

Additional monitoring and follow-up may also be recommended based on individual risk factors.

Should I Use an At-Home Genetic Test?

Direct-to-consumer genetic testing kits have become increasingly popular, but Grissom advises caution when it comes to making medical decisions.

“The ancestry information can be fun, but we would not make medical decisions based on direct-to-consumer testing,” she says.

If you’re concerned about hereditary cancer risk, it’s best to speak with a health care professional who can determine whether clinical genetic testing is appropriate and ensure the right tests are ordered.

Can I Lower My Risk of Prostate Cancer?

While genetics can’t be changed, healthy lifestyle choices may help reduce cancer risk overall.

Janssen and Grissom recommend:

• Avoiding tobacco products.
• Maintaining a healthy weight.
• Eating a balanced diet.
• Limiting exposure to harmful chemicals when possible.
• Staying physically active.

Research also continues to examine how factors such as diet, obesity and environmental exposures may influence cancer risk.

“We do the best we can with the information we have,” Janssen says. “Making healthy choices whenever possible is important for overall cancer prevention.”

When Should I Consider Genetic Counseling?

Consider talking with your health care provider or a genetics specialist if:

• You have a strong family history of cancer, especially individuals who have had more than one type of cancer.
• Multiple relatives have had the same type of cancer (breast, ovarian, colon, prostate).
• Family members were diagnosed younger than 50.
• You have questions about inherited cancer risk.

“I always encourage people to update their primary care provider about any new cancer diagnoses in the family,” Grissom says. “Knowing the type of cancer and the age when it occurred can be very helpful.”

Genetic counseling can help determine whether testing is right for you and provide personalized recommendations for screening and prevention.

To learn more about hereditary cancer risk or schedule a genetics appointment, call the Nassif Community Cancer Center at (319) 558-4876 or visit communitycancercenter.org/genetics.