Question

According to the American Cancer Society, the lifetime risk that a man will develop prostate cancer is 14% (1 in 7 men). rs4430796 is a SNP in the TCF2 gene on chromosome 17q12, associated with increased risk for prostate cancer in several studies. Individuals with the rs443079 (G;G) or (A;G) genotypes have normal risk for prostate cancer, but individuals with the rs443079 (A;A) genotype have a 38% higher risk of developing prostate cancer. Write down the base risk of prostate cancer. If you have the rs443079 genotype, what is your actual risk of developing prostate cancer?

a) Base risk: 14%, Actual risk: 38%
b) Base risk: 38%, Actual risk: 14%
c) Base risk: 0%, Actual risk: 38%
d) Base risk: 14%, Actual risk: 0%

Answer 1

The base risk of prostate cancer is 14%. For individuals with the rs4430796 (A;A) genotype, the risk is 38% higher than this base risk, making the actual risk approximately 19.32%, which is not listed in the given options.

Step-by-step explanation:

The base risk of prostate cancer for men, according to the American Cancer Society, is 14%. This means that 14% of men are at risk of developing prostate cancer over their lifetime. For individuals with the rs4430796 (A;A) genotype, their risk is increased by 38%. To calculate their actual risk, we take the base risk (14%) and increase it by 38% of that risk.

Calculating the increased risk: 14% + (38% of 14%) = 14% + 5.32% = 19.32%. Therefore, the actual risk of developing prostate cancer for individuals with the rs4430796 (A;A) genotype is approximately 19.32%. To answer the student's question: a) Base risk: 14%, Actual risk: 38% is incorrect because it states the actual risk as a flat percentage rather than an increase from the base risk.

b) Base risk: 38%, Actual risk: 14% is incorrect as it reverses the base and actual risk percentages. c) Base risk: 0%, Actual risk: 38% is incorrect as the base risk is not 0%. d) Base risk: 14%, Actual risk: 0% is also incorrect as it does not account for the increased risk.

Thus, none of these options correctly represent the increased risk for individuals with the rs4430796 (A;A) genotype; the correct answer would be Base risk: 14%, Actual risk: 19.32%, which is not listed as an option.