There is a lot of information packed into my genetic profile on 23andMe. I haven’t managed to fully digest or figure out everything since I got the email on Friday.
The first thing I did was go straight for my Gene Journal and see if I had any major predispositions to stuff like glaucoma, various cancers and heroin addiction.
So, without further ado, here is what my genetics have to say about the most common cancer for men, prostate cancer:
I guess I have lowers odds of getting prostate cancer than the average man aged 30-48 and of European ethnicity. Men with similar genetics usually have a 0.22 out of 100 odds and I have 0.19 out of 100 odds.
The red bar below is the TCF2 marker, which denotes that I have increased risk from the average at that marker.
Obviously, environment and lifestyle play a large role in your odds of getting prostate cancer. How much of a role do they play?
My Gene Journal says the heritability of prostate cancer is between 42-57%. So, that means roughly half.
If genetic factors play roughly a 50% role, what environmental factors contribute? Here’s what Gene Journal offers:
“Other factors that can increase your risk include being older, having African ancestry, or living in North America, Northwestern Europe, Australia, or the Caribbean islands.”
Interesting.
Will this prostate cancer crash course change my lifestyle? I don’t think so.
But, I do think this crash course will make me more conscious about prostrate exams.
Too much info alert: I’ve already had one prostate exam due to a thorough pre-college physical.