LONDON 17 Sep (ANA) - Men carrying a faulty gene are at almost double the risk of prostate cancer, according to new research.

 

The BRCA2 gene fault is usually associated with breast and ovarian cancer in women.

 

Those carrying it have a 50% to 85% risk of developing breast cancer by the time they reach 70.

 

A new study involving a large number of men found those with the faulty gene have a significantly higher risk of prostate cancer.

 

It also found their tumours tend to be more aggressive than people who do not have the fault.

 

This group of men should undergo regular screening, researchers say.

 

Men and women can pass down mutations in the BRCA genes and men may become aware they have a faulty gene if there is a history of breast cancer in the family.(ANA)

FA/ANA/17 September 2019------