Researchers have developed the first system that can predict a man’s future risk of prostate cancer based on his family history and his genetics.
The tool, developed by the University of Cambridge and the Institute of Cancer Research in London, looks at hundreds of gene variants linked to the disease.
This is combined with information on the man’s family history of cancer to provide a personalised risk score. This indicates the likelihood of them developing prostate cancer over the next decade and could be used to help decide whether further testing is needed.
Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer in men. According to Cancer Research UK, over 52,000 are diagnosed with the disease each year and there are more than 12,000 deaths.
