Background Prostate cancer (PCa) has one of the highest heritability of all major cancers, where the genetic contribution has been documented, and knowledge about the molecular genetics of the disease is increasing. However, the extent and aspects to which genetic variants explain PCa heritability in Africa are limited. Main body In this review, we summarize studies that highlight how identified genetic variants explain differences in PCa incidence and presentation across ethnic groups. We also present the knowledge gaps in PCa genetics in Africa and why Africa represents an untapped potential ground for genetic studies on PCa. A significant number of genome-wide association studies, linkage, and fine-mapping analyses have been conducted globally, and that explains 30–33% of PCa heritability. The African ancestry has a significant mention in PCa incidence and presentation. To date, the candidate gene approach has replicated 23 polymorphisms including dinucleotide and trinucleotide repeats in 16 genes. CYP17-rs743572, CYP3A4-rs2740574, CYP3A5-rs776746, CYP3A43-rs501275, and haplotype blocks, containing these variants, are significantly associated with PCa among some population groups but not others. With the few existing studies, the extent of genetic diversity in Africa suggests that genetic associations of PCa to African ancestry go beyond nucleotide sequence polymorphisms, to a level of environmental adaptation, which may interpret genetic risk profiles. Also, the shreds of evidence suggest that evolutionary history contributes to the high rates of PCa relative to African ancestry, and genetic associations do not always replicate across populations. Conclusion The genetic architecture of PCa in Africa provides important contributions to the global understanding of PCa specifically the African-ancestry hypothesis. There is a need for more prostate cancer consortiums to justify the heritable certainties of PCa among Africans, and emphasis should be placed on the genetic epidemiological model of PCa in Africa.
African countries with weak health systems and infrastructure are at risk of high incidence and mortality of prostate cancer. The absence of specific causative agents for prostate cancer calls for early detection strategies and the identification of susceptible factors. We undertook a community-based prostate-specific antigen screening of Ghanaian men to ascertain the association between putative risk factors and prostate cancer. Using an adjusted PSA cut-off we found a prostate cancer prevalence of 12.5% with most men diagnosed between 62–77 years (Mean; 69.50 ± 8.46). We found no statitsically significant association between putative risk factors such as obesity, hypertension, intake of alcohol, and smoking with prostate cancer. However, we observed a significant association between age and occupation, and prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is a growing challenge in Ghanaian men. Detection with PSA offers diagnostic significance and may help in reducing the burden in men. Differences in genetic and environmental differences between populations call for a population-specific assessment of risk factors.
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