What you carry at this position in your DNA and what research says about it.
Prostate Cancer and Diabetes: 8/10 evidence, 29 publications.
You're viewing every possible genotype for this variant.
None of these is your result. Use the genotype toggle to compare them, then sign up and upload your DNA to see which one is yours.
Sample genotype (not yours): C/C
Higher Prostate and Testicular Cancer Risk
This genotype is linked to an increased risk of developing prostate and testicular cancer. Conversely, it provides a protective effect against type 2 diabetes.
What this genotype means: Increased risk of prostate cancer; Increased risk of testicular cancer; Decreased risk of type 2 diabetes.
Sample genotype (not yours): C/T
Typical Risk Profile
An intermediate genetic profile results in average baseline risks for both prostate cancer and type 2 diabetes. No extreme genetic predisposition is present.
What this genotype means: Typical baseline risk of prostate cancer; Typical baseline risk of type 2 diabetes.
Sample genotype (not yours): T/T
Lower Prostate Risk but Higher Diabetes Risk
This genotype significantly lowers the risk of prostate cancer and testicular cancer. However, it increases the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes.
What this genotype means: Decreased risk of prostate cancer; Increased risk of type 2 diabetes; Decreased risk of testicular cancer.
Gene function and biological role
Gene Function: The HNF1B gene encodes hepatocyte nuclear factor 1-beta, a critical transcription factor that regulates the development of the kidneys, pancreas, and reproductive tract. It plays a pivotal role in embryonic tissue specification and epithelial differentiation [1]. Common variations in this gene are known to have pleiotropic effects, meaning they simultaneously influence the risk of multiple seemingly unrelated conditions [2]. Specifically, these genetic variations create a biological trade-off between metabolic health and susceptibility to certain hormone-related cancers [2].
Variant Impact: The rs7501939 variant is an intronic change located within the HNF1B gene on chromosome 17. This genetic marker is highly linked to altered expression levels of HNF1B, which in turn modulates downstream cellular pathways [3]. It acts as a major genetic modifier, establishing a distinct trade-off where one allele increases the risk of prostate cancer while protecting against type 2 diabetes, and the other allele does the exact opposite [4]. Large-scale genome-wide association studies have repeatedly confirmed this dual, opposing influence on metabolic and oncological pathways [4].
Key Insight: The same C allele that raises prostate and testicular cancer risk is the one that protects against type 2 diabetes, so this variant is a genuine trade-off between cancer risk and metabolic risk.
Location: HNF1B. Chromosome 17 · 17q12 · 37.7 Mb
Estimated prevalence by population
Global 35.4%; European 36.9%; African 23.6%; East Asian 54.8%; South Asian 49.2%; Americas 39.9%; Ashkenazi 32.0%; Finnish 51.8%; Middle Eastern 38.3%; Amish 31.4%.
Estimated CC genotype frequency.
Global 47.2%; European 47.7%; African 50.0%; East Asian 38.4%; South Asian 41.9%; Americas 46.5%; Ashkenazi 49.1%; Finnish 40.3%; Middle Eastern 47.2%; Amish 49.3%.
Estimated CT genotype frequency.
Global 17.3%; European 15.4%; African 26.4%; East Asian 6.7%; South Asian 8.9%; Americas 13.6%; Ashkenazi 18.9%; Finnish 7.8%; Middle Eastern 14.5%; Amish 19.3%.
Estimated TT genotype frequency.
Showing effects for C/C genotype
Cancer & Oncology
Prostate Cancer
Prostate Cancer. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 18264097. ~1.3x Higher Risk.
Urologic Cancers
Testicular Cancer. Evidence: 7/10. Source: PMID 25877299. ~1.25x Higher Risk.
Cardiovascular & Metabolic
Diabetes & Glycemic Traits
Type 2 Diabetes. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 30595370. Lower Risk.
Obesity & Body Composition
Waist-to-Hip Ratio. Evidence: 6/10. Source: PMID 40874817. Typical.
Showing effects for C/T genotype
Prostate Cancer. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 18264097. Typical Risk.
Testicular Cancer. Evidence: 7/10. Source: PMID 25877299. Typical Risk.
Type 2 Diabetes. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 30595370. Typical Risk.
Showing effects for T/T genotype
Prostate Cancer. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 18264097. ~20% Lower Risk.
Testicular Cancer. Evidence: 7/10. Source: PMID 25877299. Lower Risk.
Type 2 Diabetes. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 30595370. Increased Risk.
Waist-to-Hip Ratio. Evidence: 6/10. Source: PMID 40874817. Slightly Higher.
What this genotype means for the people who carry it
Sample genotype: CC (Homozygous)
Carrying two copies of the C allele is associated with a moderately elevated risk of prostate cancer [1]. Large-scale clinical studies indicate that this genetic profile increases the odds of developing prostate cancer by approximately 1.3 times compared to other genotypes [2]. Interestingly, this same genetic makeup appears to offer a protective advantage against metabolic issues [3]. It is consistently linked to a lower lifetime risk of developing type 2 diabetes and a lower waist-to-hip ratio [3]. The same C allele is also the risk allele for testicular germ cell tumour, carrying roughly 1.25 times higher odds per copy [4]. The biological mechanism is thought to involve altered HNF1B transcription factor activity, which subtly shifts the balance between cellular growth pathways and insulin sensitivity [1].
Increased risk of prostate cancer; Increased risk of testicular cancer; Decreased risk of type 2 diabetes.
Sample genotype: CT (Heterozygous)
Carrying one copy of each allele results in a balanced, intermediate risk profile for both oncological and metabolic conditions [1]. The presence of both the C and T alleles means that the opposing genetic influences largely cancel each other out, leading to typical population-average risks [2]. Baseline susceptibility to prostate cancer remains at the standard population rate [1]. Similarly, the risk of developing type 2 diabetes or testicular germ cell tumors is not significantly elevated or reduced [3]. This heterozygous state represents the most common genetic baseline across many global ancestries, serving as a neutral reference point for health planning.
Typical baseline risk of prostate cancer; Typical baseline risk of type 2 diabetes.
Sample genotype: TT (Homozygous)
Carrying two copies of the T allele presents a classic biological trade-off between oncological protection and metabolic risk [1]. This genetic profile is highly protective against prostate cancer, reducing the overall risk by approximately 20% compared to the common genotype [2]. However, this same variation is associated with an increased susceptibility to type 2 diabetes [3]. It is also associated with a lower risk of developing testicular germ cell tumors, since the C allele rather than the T allele is the one linked to that cancer [4]. Additionally, studies have associated this genotype with a slightly higher waist-to-hip ratio, reflecting a tendency toward abdominal fat storage [5].
Decreased risk of prostate cancer; Increased risk of type 2 diabetes; Decreased risk of testicular cancer.
Variants with shared genetic architecture
rs11649743 · HNF1B Gene · Chr 17 · Prostate Cancer Risk
rs17138478 · HNF1B Gene · Chr 17 · Stomach Cancer Risk
rs4430796 · HNF1B Gene · Chr 17 · Cancer and Diabetes Risk
Genome-wide association study identifies new prostate cancer susceptibility loci.
Multiple newly identified loci associated with prostate cancer susceptibility.
Leveraging Polygenic Functional Enrichment to Improve GWAS Power.
Content updated August 2026.
ReadYourDNA provides educational interpretation of DNA data you already have. It is not diagnostic, not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to a clinician before acting on any result.
Raw DNA Data Reports for 23andMe & AncestryDNA · About ReadYourDNA · FAQ · Methodology & Science · Pricing · Support and complaints · Legal & Contact · Health Traits · Pharmacogenomics · Carrier Status · Variant Explorer · The Human Karyotype · Privacy Policy · Terms of Service · Accessibility · Consumer Health Data Privacy · Your Privacy Choices · Editorial Standards · Your Data, Checkable · Sample Report · ReadYourDNA and Promethease compared · What is inside a 23andMe raw data file · What is inside an AncestryDNA raw data file · What a chatbot can and cannot do with your raw DNA file · Where a raw DNA file can still be uploaded in 2026
Written, maintained and operated by Martin Pechhacker, sole proprietor, Vienna, Austria. Trade register GISA 40064420. support@readyourdna.com