Risk of prostate cancer and family history of cancer: a population-based study in China

We evaluated prostate cancer risk and family history of cancers using data from a case–control study in China. Cancer information among first-degree relatives was collected from 709 subjects (238 cases and 471 controls). None of the subjects reported a family history of prostate cancer. However, excess prostate cancer risk was associated with a family history of any cancer (OR=1.79, 95% CI: 1.21–2.63) and esophageal cancer (OR=2.39, 95% CI: 1.15–5.00). Nonsignificant risk was seen for family history of cancers of the stomach, lung, and female breast. Our results did not confirm the familial tendency toward prostate cancer but other cancers prevalent in China appeared to be aggregate, particularly esophageal cancer. Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings, and to clarify the genetic and lifestyle factors that may be involved.