Collaborative ovarian, prostate and breast gene-environment study (COGS)

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The EU-COGS application has arisen from genome wide scans that identify common genetic variants associated with breast, ovarian and prostate cancer risk. Our studies contributed 50% of DNA samples to the prostate cancer genome wide scan. COGS will now measure these variants in a large number of cases and controls from an international consortium of studies to test whether genetic risks are modified by other genes or lifestyle factors. This will better define genetic risks and identify men at increased risk who should be the focus of appropriate screening and prevention strategies. Australian participation in the prostate cancer genome wide scan helped to identify a number of genetic variants associated with prostate cancer risk. The aim of EU-COGS, which needs large numbers of samples with epidemiological, tumour pathology and clinical information, is to determine whether these genetic variants act singly or together and the extent to which lifestyle and environmental factors can modify the genetic risk. Our contribution of >10% of the total DNA samples to COGS will enable us to understand how such genetic risks can be modified in the Australian environmental context.