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African-American
Men
Sought for
Prostate Cancer Study
July 23 1998. Scientists at Seattle's Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research
Center say they are gaining knowledge of the genes that cause inherited
prostate cancer. But of the 250 families nationwide who have participated
in this center's genetic family study, only three have been African-American.
"We need at least 100 African-American
families with a history of prostate cancer to take part in the study for
the results to be scientifically meaningful,'' says Janet Stanford, Ph.D.,
a Hutchinson Center epidemiologist who is leading the family identification
segment of the Prostate Cancer Genetic Research Study, also called PROGRESS.
Funded by CaP CURE, a research foundation established by financier Michael
Milken, data collection for the three-year study began in 1995 and will
finish this year.
Researchers are seeking participation by
African-American families with two or more living men who have had prostate
cancer. Those who meet the above criteria are urged to call 800-777-3035.
Participants will be asked to fill out a mail-in health questionnaire
and have a sample of blood drawn. No physical examinations are required.
Family members both with and without prostate cancer, including women,
may be asked to participate. No travel or expense is required; the Hutchinson
Center will arrange and pay for the blood to be drawn in a local doctor's
office or laboratory. All information will be kept strictly confidential.
Although the causes of prostate cancer
are not well-understood, scientists think heredity plays a role. Different
genes may be responsible for causing prostate cancer in different subgroups
of the population.
African Americans have a 60-percent higher
incidence of prostate cancer and a 100-percent higher death rate from
the disease as compared with Caucasian Americans. Finding these genes,
the researchers say, could provide clues to help diagnose, treat, cure
and even prevent prostate cancer.
August
3, 1998. Last modified December 26, 1998
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