That is why it is important for us to learn about hereditary prostate cancer. One of the ways that we can learn more is by finding the gene that causes this disease. Once the gene is located, lives can be saved because men will be able to know if they have an inherited risk for prostate cancer, said Wise, a USC School of Medicine clinical professor. Although a diagnosis of cancer is frightening, there is hope, Wise said. Dr. Gus Rodgers, USC social work professor and president of the National Black Family Summit, said most families are a vital link to saving lives lost to prostate cancer.
Families are forever.
Ask your mothers, fathers, uncles, grandfathers and physicians about your family history of cancer. This knowledge could save your life, as well as your sons' and grandsons' lives. The study at USC offers South Carolinians an exceptional opportunity to be involved in research to help future generations, Weinrich said. Funding for the USC study if from Howard University, the National Human Genome Research Institute and the National Cancer Institute. South Carolina is second only to Washington, D.C. in the rate of men who die from prostate cancer.