Abstract
BackgroundThe relationship between first-degree family history of female breast cancer and prostate cancer risk in the general population remains unclear. We performed a meta-analysis to determine the association between first-degree family history of female breast cancer and prostate cancer risk.MethodsDatabases, including MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science, were searched for all associated studies that evaluated associations between first-degree family history of female breast cancer and prostate cancer risk up to December 31, 2018. Information on study characteristics and outcomes were extracted based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) statement and Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines. The quality of evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach.ResultsEighteen studies involving 17,004,892 individuals were included in the meta-analysis. Compared with no family history of female breast cancer, history of female breast cancer in first-degree relatives was associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer [relative risk (RR) 1.18, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12–1.25] with moderate-quality evidence. A history of breast cancer in mothers only (RR 1.19, 95% CI 1.10–1.28) and sisters only (RR 1.71, 95% CI 1.43–2.04) was associated with increased prostate cancer risk with moderate-quality evidence. However, a family history of breast cancer in daughters only was not associated with prostate cancer incidence (RR 1.74, 95% CI 0.74–4.12) with moderate-quality evidence. A family history of female breast cancer in first-degree relatives was associated with an 18% increased risk of lethal prostate cancer (95% CI 1.04–1.34) with low-quality evidence.ConclusionsThis review demonstrates that men with a family history of female breast cancer in first-degree relatives had an increased risk of prostate cancer, including risk of lethal prostate cancer. These findings may guide screening, earlier detection, and treatment of men with a family history of female breast cancer in first-degree relatives.
Highlights
The relationship between first-degree family history of female breast cancer and prostate cancer risk in the general population remains unclear
There is definite evidence that prostate cancer risk is increased in Breast Cancer Susceptibility Gene 1 (BRCA1) and Breast Cancer Susceptibility Gene 1 (BRCA2) mutation carriers ascertained by a family history of breast cancer [13]
Previous observational studies have reported that family history of breast cancer in firstdegree relatives is associated with prostate cancer, including lethal prostate cancer [18, 19]
Summary
The relationship between first-degree family history of female breast cancer and prostate cancer risk in the general population remains unclear. We performed a meta-analysis to determine the association between first-degree family history of female breast cancer and prostate cancer risk. There is definite evidence that prostate cancer risk is increased in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers ascertained by a family history of breast cancer [13]. BRCA1 mutation carriers increase the risk of prostate cancer in men aged < 65 years by 3.8fold, and germline mutations in the BRCA2 gene increase prostate cancer risk by 8.6-fold [14, 15]. The mutation status of BRCA1/BRCA2 is closely related to the degree of prostate invasion, earlier death, and shorter survival time [15,16,17]. Previous observational studies have reported that family history of breast cancer in firstdegree relatives is associated with prostate cancer, including lethal prostate cancer [18, 19]
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