Men who have gene variants that predispose to cancer will be monitored in a pilot screening program in Europe.
The BRCA2 gene variant that raises the risk of breast and ovarian cancer is linked to a similar risk of prostate cancer. Forty per cent of early-onset, aggressive prostate cancers are linked to genetic factors. In some of these cases, BRCA2 will be involved.

A group of researchers at Cancer Research UK, the leading charity, are to study 500 men throughout Europe who are known to have defects in the BRCA2 gene. It's hoped the study will demonstrate the value of screening for early diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. It will also enable researchers to identify those gene variants in BRCA2 which are most linked to the risk of prostate cancer.