Summary
This study investigates differences in prostate cancer risk factors, tumor biology, and survival disparities between African American and European American men in Maryland, focusing on genetic ancestry, inflammation, and neighborhood factors.
What they want
The study, initiated in 2005 and completed data collection in 2015, involved 976 prostate cancer cases and 1034 population-based controls from Baltimore hospitals. Data collected included blood, urine, tissue specimens, and survey responses on tobacco use, medication, occupational history, diet, medical/sexual history, familial cancer history, and socioeconomic status. Current activities include collecting additional pathology and medical record data, and information on disease recurrence. Participants' West African, European, and Native American ancestry were evaluated using genetic markers. The study also linked neighborhood measures of poverty and gentrification to participants. Ongoing research focuses on the role of tumor and systemic inflammation in disease progression, and the relationships of neighborhood factors and African genetic ancestry with prostate cancer, including developing a measure for allostatic load.
