A study looking at the genetic causes of prostate cancer - UK Genetic Prostate Cancer Study (UKGPCS)

This study is trying to find out more about how a family history of the disease can increase a man's risk of prostate cancer.

Previous research has suggested that if a man has a family history of prostate cancer this will increase his risk of developing this disease. This study aims to increase our understanding of the genetic causes of prostate cancer.

It is hoped that the information gained from this trial will help the researchers to

Find out how many families have a strong family history of prostate cancer
Work out a man’s risk of developing prostate cancer if he has a family history
Find out if a man’s family history of prostate cancer also increases his risk of developing other cancers
Identify other faulty genes that can increase a man’s risk of developing prostate cancer (we already know about BRCA1 and BRCA2)
Establish a storage bank of blood and tumour samples that may help future research

In the long term, the results of this study may help to find ways to diagnose prostate cancer early and to prevent prostate cancer in some men.

Recruitment

Start 15/06/2003

End 31/12/2017

Phase

Other

Who can enter

All patients with prostate cancer at the Royal Marsden Hospital are asked to become part of this study.

If you are a patient elsewhere you can enter the study if you

Are the only person with prostate cancer in your family and were diagnosed at age 60 or under OR
Have prostate cancer and also have a first degree relative, such as a brother, father or son who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and one of you was diagnosed at 65 or under OR
Are one of three or more members of your family with prostate cancer diagnosed at any age

Trial design

This study is recruiting 26,000 patients and is being run by the Royal Marsden Hospital. If you are a prostate cancer patient at the Royal Marsden Hospital you will automatically be asked to take part in this study.

If you are not a patient at the Royal Marsden and you think you may be eligible for this study, you can refer yourself. The researchers ask that you talk to your specialist (hospital consultant) first. This is because your specialist will be asked to provide details of your cancer and it’s treatment if you take part in this study.

You can refer yourself by writing to the Study Co-ordinators, explaining why you think you may be able to take part. Their address is The UK Genetic Prostate Cancer Study, Rm MGS6, Male Urological Cancer Research Centre, Institute of Cancer Research & Royal Marsden Hospital, Down's Road, Sutton, Surrey, SM2 5PT.

If you take part, you will be sent a questionnaire in the post. This will ask questions about your family, such as their names, dates of birth and any illnesses they have had. It is important to check with members of your family that they are happy for you to do this.

You will be asked for a small sample of blood. This may be taken at your GP surgery or hospital, depending on how your local services are arranged. The DNA from your blood sample will be stored in a DNA bank. The researchers will look at all the DNA to try to find faulty genes that may be related to prostate cancer. These results will be compared with other DNA samples. The DNA samples are taken for the purposes of this study only. This should not affect your right to apply for insurance, such as life or medical insurance.

The researchers may also ask for a sample of your cancer tissue, taken during your original prostate biopsy or operation. This sample will be stored and may be used for future studies.

There is more information about this study on the UK Genetic Prostate Cancer Study website.

Hospital visits

Taking part in this study does not involve any extra visits to your hospital. If you are having treatment for your prostate cancer, this will not affect your medical care.