Active not recruitingOBSERVATIONAL

UK Genetic Prostate Cancer Study: Epidemiology and Molecular Genetics Studies

The UK Genetic Prostate Cancer Study (UKGPCS) aims to find genetic differences in men with prostate cancer. We know that if your father or brother had prostate cancer when they were younger, your own risk increases. Because of this, we're particularly interested in men who developed prostate cancer at a younger age or who have a strong family history, as their cancer might be linked to inherited genes. However, we also invite all men treated for prostate cancer at the Royal Marsden Hospital to participate, regardless of their age or family history. This helps us see if genetic changes are also found in older men or those without a family link. The ultimate goal is to better understand the causes of prostate cancer, which could lead to improved ways to spot it early and treat it effectively in the future.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Sponsor

Institute of Cancer Research, United Kingdom

Enrolment target

23,826

Start

01 Jan 1993

Estimated completion

31 Dec 2027

Prostate Cancer

What is this study about?

Imagine your body as a complex machine built using a detailed instruction manual – your genes. Sometimes, there might be typos or changes in these instructions that can increase your risk of certain health problems, like prostate cancer. This study, called the UK Genetic Prostate Cancer Study, is like a detective looking for these genetic typos in men who have prostate cancer.

We know that prostate cancer can sometimes run in families, especially if a father or brother was diagnosed when they were relatively young. This suggests that certain 'typos' in genes might be passed down through generations. So, a big part of our study focuses on men who were diagnosed with prostate cancer at a younger age or who have several family members with the disease. By studying them, we hope to find those specific genetic typos that might be inherited and increase the risk.

However, we also want to understand prostate cancer in general, not just the inherited forms. That's why we invite all men who are being treated for prostate cancer at the Royal Marsden Hospital to take part. This helps us compare the genetic profiles of many different men, whether they have a family history or not, and whether they are young or old. By gathering this wide range of information, we hope to get a clearer picture of all the genetic factors that contribute to prostate cancer.

Key takeaways

The study investigates genetic links to prostate cancer.
It focuses on men with family history or early diagnosis, but also includes older men.
Participation involves providing a blood sample and completing a questionnaire.
The goal is to improve future prostate cancer understanding, detection, and treatment.
You won't get direct personal medical benefits from taking part.
You can stop participating at any time without affecting your care.

Who may be eligible?

You might be able to join this study if you are a man with prostate cancer and are being treated at the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust in London or Sutton. We welcome men of any age who fit this description.

If you have prostate cancer but are not being treated at the Royal Marsden, you might still be able to join if you were diagnosed at a young age (60 or under). We are also very interested if you and a close male relative (like a father, brother) both have prostate cancer, especially if one of you was diagnosed at 65 or younger. If many men in your family (three or more) have had prostate cancer, you might also be a good fit for the study.

We also invite healthy male relatives of men who are already participating in the study. You need to be able to understand the study information and agree to take part. If you need help with translation, we can provide that.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you a man who has (or has had) prostate cancer?
Were you diagnosed with prostate cancer at age 60 or younger?
Do you have a father or brother who also had prostate cancer, especially if one of you was diagnosed by age 65?
Are there three or more men in your family with prostate cancer (at any age)?
Are you able to provide a blood sample after understanding the study information?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, a member of the study team will explain everything to you and give you an information sheet to read. If you agree, we'll ask you to fill out a questionnaire about your family's health history and some lifestyle questions. We will also ask for a small blood sample, about 18ml (which is about three small tubes). If you haven't started treatment yet, we might ask for an additional blood sample to check for certain markers.

For some men, especially those with a strong family history, we might also ask if we can get in touch with your relatives to see if they would like to give a blood sample. We may also ask to look at previous medical records or tissue samples from relatives, even if they have passed away, to help us understand the genetic links. Your participation in the study continues as long as samples and information are being analysed, but you only need to provide samples once.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could help future generations, as the information we gather might lead to better ways to detect and treat prostate cancer. There are no direct medical benefits to you from participating. The main risk involves giving a blood sample, which might cause some minor discomfort or bruising where the needle goes in. You are free to change your mind and withdraw from the study at any time, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Institute of Cancer Research and Royal Marsden Hospital
Verified postcode
Sutton, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is the main goal of this study?

The main goal is to find genetic changes that might increase a man's risk of getting prostate cancer.

Are there any age limits for joining?

No, men of any age with prostate cancer might be eligible, especially if they have a family history or were diagnosed young.

Do I have to live near the Royal Marsden Hospital to participate?

Not necessarily; while many participants are from the Royal Marsden, men from other hospitals might also be eligible if they meet certain criteria, like young diagnosis or strong family history.

Will taking part affect my prostate cancer treatment?

No, participating in this study will not affect the medical care you receive for your prostate cancer.

What happens to my blood sample?

Your blood sample will be used to look for genetic changes linked to prostate cancer as part of the study research.