DELRAY BEACH, FL – As germline testing and hereditary cancer predisposition becomes a key deciding factor in cancer treatment and prevention, it is important to use this tool to bridge the gap of racial/ethnic disparities within prostate cancer (PCa) patients. “Black men are diagnosed with PCa at nearly twice the rate of non-Hispanic white (NHW) men, and Black men with local/regional PCa have been found to be less likely to receive treatment with curative intent than NHW men.”¹ Unfortunately, studies have also shown that “the majority of PCa patients receiving germline testing are NHW men, with as high as 95% being English-speaking.”¹

After undergoing germline testing, Hispanic men have been found to have similar rates of pathogenic variants as NHW men, especially in genes like ATM, BRCA1 and BRCA2. These are now known genetic variations that could drastically alter treatment and survival outcome. However, Black “patients have been found to be more likely to have a VUS than those with European ancestry,” potentially because of being underrepresented in study cohorts.¹ This makes germline testing even more valuable, as germline testing and resulting treatment could increase the 5-year survival rate for all minority populations.

“Because the identification of alterations in PCa predisposition genes may help inform screening strategies for patients and family members, treatment options in the metastatic setting, and clinical trial enrollment, it will become increasingly important to bridge the gap for PCa patients who are underserved with regard to germline testing.” Providers and genetics experts need to recognize that bridging the gap between current disparities is vital for patient welfare and safety.