The Incidence of Carcinoma of the Prostate In Jews and Gentiles

Abstract

To the Editor:— In a search for clues to the etiologic factors involved in the development of carcinoma of the prostate, differences between ethnic groups have become apparent. Ravich¹ analyzed his own practice, which consisted largely of Jewish patients. He found a much lower incidence of carcinoma of the prostate in these Jewish patients, as compared to Gentiles, and ascribed this disparity to the Jewish practice of circumcision on the eighth day of life. He also incriminated venereal infections as a factor in the development of prostatic malignancy. We have recently analyzed the statistics from a more general urological practice and have found results somewhat different from those obtained by Ravich. Materials:— All hospital records at the Chicago Wesley Memorial Hospital from January 1958 through December 1964 with a tissue diagnosis (obtained at autopsy, biopsy, or prostatectomy) of benign prostatic hyperplasia or carcinoma of the prostate were examined. Notation