A first degree relative is one’s parent, child, or sibling. They share a higher portion of DNA than a second degree relative who would be a grandparent, aunt, uncle, nephew, niece, or half-sibling. Men who have one first degree relative who is diagnosed with prostate cancer has a 1 in 3 chance of developing disease and his chances increase if his relative is young at the time of diagnosis or if another first degree relative is diagnosed. Those whose family history may predispose them to prostate cancer should consider starting PSA tests and DRE exams at age 40 rather than 50. |
