Prostate Cancer (CaP) disproportionately affects men of African ancestry, notably Black men (BM). Current research inadequately addresses the heterogeneity among BM in the U.S., often treating them as a homogenous group. This oversight is magnified by the growing presence of foreign-born Blacks in the U.S. The proposed study aims to fill this gap by specifically examining West African men globally, and recognizing the impact of genetics, environment, and social determinants on prostate cancer risk factors. The limited representation of African men, particularly due to lacking data on patients’ birthplaces, underscores the need for focused investigations, emphasizing tailored interventions.

Purpose

The long-term goal of our research program is to eliminate CaP disparity experienced by Black men globally. In line with this goal, this project focuses on understanding the genetic, environmental and behavioural aetiology of CaP in West African men. The overall study objective is to prospectively follow a cohort of Black men for 10 years to gain insight into prostate cancer (CaP) risk factors using the principles of community engagement research (CEnR).

Specific Aim 1:

Specific Aim 1: Create a Familial Cohort of West African-born Black men (WABM) and West African Black men who immigrated to the United States (iWABM) who can be followed prospectively over 10 years to understand better the bio-behavioural etiology of CaP among West African men.
a. Recruit a minimum of 1,000 iWABM, including the male relatives of participants (father, full brothers, half-brothers, and sons).
b. Assess baseline behavioural, clinical, epidemiological, and environmental variables that may explain the aetiology of CaP risk in the Familial cohort using the standardized C.A.M. CaP measures.
c. Assess baseline biological/biochemical variables that may explain the aetiology of CaP risk in the familial cohort from saliva samples.
d. Whenever possible, access and link participants’ past and future clinical data to the cohort database.

Specific Aim 2:

Using the REDCap database, integrate the iWABM Familial Cohort data with the WABM Familial Cohort data of Nigerian and Cameroonian men to better understand the bio-behavioural etiology of CaP among West African men. The WABM data collection will be conducted by the CaPTC sites in West Africa (listed below).
a. Integrate the 1,000 iWABM Familial Cohort data with 1,000 international WABM Familial Cohort data of Nigerian and Cameroonian men using the REDCap database management system.
b. Conduct exploratory analysis on the bio-behavioural etiology of CaP among West African men.