[Adenocarcinoma of the prostate. Familial risk in Icelandic males.]

To invesigate the familial risk of prostate cancer in Icelandic males.

In the years 1983 and 1984 a total of 146 Icelandic males were diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the prostate. Family trees were constructed to the third degree relation (first degree male relatives are father, brother/s, and son/s, et cetera). Relatives with prostate cancer were found using the centralized Icelandic cancer registry. Expected number of cases was calculated from relatives age and the population risk of the disease.

The relative risk of prostate cancer was markedly increased for the first and second degree relatives 1.7 (CI: 1.2-2.3) and 1.5 (CI: 1.1-2.2) respectively. The mean age for the probands was 74 years and there was no significant difference in the cumulative familial risk (first, second and third degree relatives) after dividing the probands into two groups; younger or older than the mean age.

Risk of prostate cancer is significantly elevated in relatives of Icelandic males diagnosed with the disease. Family history is therefore of value in screening for prostate cancer.