Causes and Risk Factors of Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in America, and there are a number of known causes and risk factors of prostate cancer. If you are aware of the risk factors and get regular screenings, you are more likely to catch the cancer early and have a higher likelihood of successful prostate cancer treatment.

In general, men should screen for prostate cancer every few years, beginning at age 40 if they fit into one or more of the below risk factors, and at age 50 if not. Prostate cancer is slow-growing, and can be easily treated, but if it grows spreads beyond the prostate, it is much more likely to be fatal.

Prostate Cancer Risk Factor: Age

The main risk factor for prostate cancer is age. It is quite uncommon in men under the age of 40, but in men who make it to 80 years old, 3 out of 4 have had or currently have prostate cancer. Risk increases dramatically at age 50, although men who fit into other risk factors below should start getting screenings for prostate cancer earlier.

Prostate Cancer Risk Factor: Race

Race is also a risk factor in prostate cancer, with African American men having, in general, a 60% higher chance than American men to be diagnosed with prostate cancer. However, this is not true for African men who do not live in America, leading researchers to believe that the difference is in the change in environment and diet.

Prostate Cancer Risk Factor: Family History

Like most other types of cancer, prostate cancer is also something that tends to run in families. Men who have had a close relative such as a brother or father diagnosed with prostate cancer are twice as likely to be diagnosed than men who do not. The chances are increased even further if that close relative was diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early age, or if there are more than one close relative who have had prostate cancer.

Prostate Cancer Risk Factor: Diet

Sugar is a main source of food for cancer, and people who consume a lot of processed sugar are at a higher risk of having their prostate cancer get significantly worse. In addition, fatty meats and dairy products also increase risk for prostate cancer. This is because fat releases hormones and special proteins into the body, so if you have too much of it, especially around the belly, you are at a higher risk of getting prostate cancer. The compounds secreted by body fat can inflame and oxidize body cells, which in turn contribute to the growth of prostate cancer.

Sources:
www.prostatecancerfoundation.org
www.webmd.com