West African genetic ancestry has been linked to a higher risk of prostate cancer in men residing in less privileged neighborhoods, but this association does not appear in those living in wealthier areas, as indicated by a recent study. This research highlights the potential impact of neighborhood conditions on how genetic ancestry affects the risk of developing prostate cancer.
A new study conducted by researchers from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has found that men with West African genetic ancestry are at a higher risk for prostate cancer if they live in disadvantaged neighborhoods, while those in more affluent neighborhoods do not show this increased risk. The study, published on September 16, 2024, in JAMA Network Open, suggests that the environment of the neighborhood could play a vital role in how genetic ancestry affects prostate cancer risk.
Most Black Americans in the United States possess West African genetic ancestry, according to the researchers. Previous studies have indicated that this ancestry is associated with a heightened risk of prostate cancer among Black men, who face a greater risk than any other demographic group in the U.S. However, it remains uncertain what other factors may contribute to this ancestry-related risk.
To investigate how the combination of neighborhood environment and West African genetic ancestry influences prostate cancer risk, scientists at NIH’s Center for Cancer Research at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) carried out a long-term study involving 1,469 self-identified Black and White men from the Baltimore area. They assessed the participants’ West African ancestry through genetic markers and analyzed neighborhood socioeconomic status by looking at factors like unemployment rates, income levels, and the percentage of households living in poverty.
The findings revealed that men with West African genetic ancestry were at an increased risk of prostate cancer if they lived in disadvantaged neighborhoods, whereas those living in wealthier areas did not exhibit the same risk.
The researchers theorized that the higher risk associated with ancestry in poorer neighborhoods may be linked to chronic stress factors—such as racial profiling, housing discrimination, and exposure to violence— which can negatively impact the immune system and lead to increased inflammation, thus fostering tumor growth.
