Genome wide association studies (GWAS) have the capacity to detect low-risk genetic susceptibility regions associated with prostate cancer with an increased risk varying between 14-52 % (table 3) (Schumacher et al. 2011, Witte 2009). Several recent studies incorporating single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analyses in models predicting the diagnosis of prostate cancer upon biopsy have been published (Wiklund 2010, Aly et al. 2011, Witte 2009). Using a genetic model including 35 validated SNPs 23% of prostate biopsies could be avoided at a cost of missing a prostate cancer diagnosis in 3% of patients characterised as having an aggressive disease (Aly et al. 2011). It is hoped that in.
