Determinants of prostate cancer: the Birmingham Prostatic Neoplasms Association study

Abstract

This Birmingham Prostatic Neoplasms Association Study (BiPAS) was initiated to investigate determinants of prostate cancer. The study recruited 314 prostate cancer patients, 381 active surveillance patients, 201 hospital controls and 175 population controls. By comparing groups
of varying risk, the aetiology of the disease was investigated.

Within the BiPAS dataset, sun exposure, physical activity and obesity were analysed. The association with occupation was assessed by performing a meta analysis of 7, 762 cases and 20, 634 controls. Finally, a replication study on genetic polymorphisms on 8q24 using 277 cases and 282 controls from the Netherlands Cohort Study (NLCS) is presented.

A protective effect was observed for high sun exposure in early adulthood and high intensity exercise. An increased risk was observed for low intensity exercise and men classed as obese at age 20. The meta analysis suggested moderately increased and decreased risks associated with a number of job titles, however none were statistically significant. The results for allele A on the single nucleotide polymorphism rs1447295 were replicated; however a decreased risk was detected for allele -8 on the microsatellite DG8S737. No significant difference was detected for analysis comparing prostate cancer or high PSA cases.