Faulty gene 'increases risk' of prostate cancer

Men who carry a faulty gene have almost double the risk of prostate cancer, researchers say.

The BRCA2 gene fault is usually associated with breast and ovarian cancer in women – with those who carry it having a 50-85pc risk of developing breast cancer by age 70.

A large study has now found men with the faulty gene have a significantly higher risk of prostate cancer and their tumours tend to be more aggressive.

Researchers are now calling for this group of men to undergo regular screening.

Both men and women can pass down mutations in the BRCA genes and men may become aware they have a faulty gene if there is a family history of breast cancer.

Previous studies have shown that the standard test for prostate cancer (prostate-specific antigen or PSA) would not work as a screening tool for the general population.

But the new study found PSA tests were more likely to pick out more serious forms of prostate cancer in men who carry the BRCA2 gene fault than in non-carriers.

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