While the methods and goals of genetic research are similar, the diseases are not. Prostate cancer has its own set of circumstances with which genetic researchers have to contend. First and foremost is the fact that prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer among men in the United States. The candidate pool, therefore, is large, much larger than in most other cancers.
Age Related Also, prostate cancer is age related.
In most men, it doesn't present itself until they're in their young senior or senior citizen years. Because much of present genetic research is family based, this age factor is significant. While the candidate pool for prostate cancer is large, thereby creating numerous research directions, the actual pool for genetic sampling is limited - often to a single generation. That limitation complicates the search for prostate cancer causing genes. Also, it explains the importance of volunteer participation in genetic research studies by people who have a family history of prostate cancer and who have family members available as well.