Approved Research

Polygenic Risk Scores and Cancer Prediction

Lay summary

We aim to develop new flexible models to improve cancer risk predictions. Genetic epidemiology studies have often suggested that the role of genetics on risk for some common cancers (e.g., breast cancer, prostate cancer) is greater if a family member has cancer at a younger age. To evaluate this potential, we will use a large number of genetic markers to create a polygenic risk score (PRS), and evaluate whether the risk portrayed by a PRS changes as one ages. This approach has potential to improve cancer risk predictions for personalized medicine. We anticipate this research to occur over three years.