BACKGROUND
The incidence of prostate cancer (CaP) varies among different populations. Individuals of African American ancestry face a 75% higher incidence risk than non-Hispanic Whites1. Among males in African populations, CaP ranks as the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. The factors contributing to this disparity involve a combination of genetic and non-genetic factors, many of which are not yet fully understood2. Conducting genetic studies in Africa presents challenges due to limited infrastructure and resources, leading to lower diagnosis rates. Additionally, variations in medical care access, risk assessment, and lifestyle factors within the African continent emphasize the need for subpopulation studies3.
Given the disease’s geographical and ethnic diversity and its higher mortality rate compared to other populations, it is crucial to identify specific characteristics unique to certain regions, which may not be apparent in pan-cancer studies. However, assessing the genetic burden of CaP in Africa is challenging due to limited data availability and inaccurate cancer incidence measures.