September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month: The role of genetics in improving outcomes

Color and the PROMISE Registry are working together to improve outcomes for those with prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men and the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. About 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed during their lifetime, with risk rising significantly with age. Family history and genetics play an important role: having a father, brother, or son with prostate cancer more than doubles a person’s risk, and inherited mutations in genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 are also linked to a higher risk.

While many cases are slow-growing and manageable, aggressive forms can spread rapidly and are much harder to treat, making early detection and personalized treatment especially critical.

Spotlight on PROMISE: Advancing prostate cancer research

PROMISE (Prostate Cancer Registry of Outcomes and Germline Mutations for Improved Survival and Treatment) is a national registry of prostate cancer patients participating in a research study to better understand how genetic differences influence patient outcomes. This study is led by physicians at Johns Hopkins University and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, sponsored by the Prostate Cancer Clinical Trials Consortium (PCCTC), and funded by Advancing Cancer Treatment (ACT). 

By building one of the largest collections of genetic and clinical data from prostate cancer patients with known genetic mutations, PROMISE is helping us discover more about the role genes can play in improving outcomes for patients with prostate cancer. 

Why genes matter in the fight against prostate cancer

Inherited mutations, such as those in BRCA1, BRCA2, and other DNA repair genes, do more than just increase the chance of developing prostate cancer. They can also affect how the disease behaves and responds to therapy. For example, men with certain inherited mutations may benefit from targeted treatments like PARP inhibitors, which are designed to take advantage of cancer’s genetic vulnerabilities to help treat or eliminate it.

With large-scale data, PROMISE is helping researchers:

• Identify inherited risks: Understanding which genetic changes contribute to prostate cancer allows for earlier screening and better prevention strategies for men and their families.
• Guide personalized treatment: Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, doctors can use genetic information to tailor therapies to each patient’s unique biology.
• Uncover new insights: By analyzing genetic and clinical data, researchers can find patterns that change how we diagnose, monitor, and treat prostate cancer – benefiting future generations. 

How to get involved

PROMISE is currently enrolling anyone diagnosed with prostate cancer—at any stage of treatment or survivorship. Participation is open to anyone across the U.S. and its territories. It’s free, easy, and can be done entirely from home. 

Here’s how it works:

• Register online at the PROMISE website (15–20 minutes; phone/email support is available).
• Receive your free Color DNA test kit in the mail and return it at no cost.
• Get your results in 3-4 weeks, with the option of speaking to a genetic counselor.
• Share results with your provider to help guide treatment decisions.

By enrolling in PROMISE, men are not only gaining access to valuable genetic insights for their own care, but also contributing to a research effort that could improve outcomes for thousands of others. 

Take action this September

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, this is the moment to act. Sign up for the PROMISE Registry—or share this opportunity with someone who may benefit.

Have questions? Contact PROMISE directly: 

• Phone: (646) 449-3363
• Email: pcctcpromise@mskcc.org

Prostate cancer remains one of the most pressing challenges in men’s health. Advances in genetics are reshaping our understanding of this disease—revealing inherited risk factors, informing screening strategies, and guiding more precise treatments. These insights are only possible because patients contribute their data, their samples, and their experiences to research.

The PROMISE Registry represents an unprecedented opportunity to connect genetics with real-world outcomes in prostate cancer. At Color, we are proud to provide the genetic testing and data infrastructure that enable PROMISE’s groundbreaking work. Each sample processed and each result returned contributes to a growing body of knowledge that can influence how physicians care for patients today, and also how the field approaches prostate cancer for decades to come.

This September, during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, consider taking action and joining PROMISE to transform how we understand and fight this disease. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or a long-term survivor, your genes hold answers that could help shape the future of prostate cancer care.