Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in American men.
Among African Americans the incidence and mortality from prostate cancer is even greater. Although southern incidence rates tend only to be slightly higher than that of the nation, a clear discrepancy exists between national mortality rates and those in the southeast. Notably high rates, particularly among blacks are observed and in North Carolina the prostate cancer mortality rate among blacks is the highest of any state in the nation. In spite of these statistics, very little is known about the etiology of this disease. In the proposed study we will expand this effort and explore these issues among men receiving health care within the VA compared to private sector hospitals.