Causes of Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men, but at the present time nobody really knows what causes it. But we do know that certain factors make prostate cancer more likely:
- Age
Age is the most important risk factor for prostate cancer. The chance of getting prostate cancer goes up as a man gets older. Extremely rare in men under age 40, it increases steadily with age. About 2 out of every 3 prostate cancers are found in men over the age of 65, and the average age of diagnosis is 70.
- Family history:
Men with close family members (father or brother) who have had prostate cancer are more likely to get it themselves, especially if their relatives were young when they got the disease. In addition, if several women in your family have had breast cancer (especially if they were diagnosed at under 40 years of age) an inherited faulty gene may be present, and that gene may also increase the risk of the men in that family getting prostate cancer.
- DNA changes:
Some people get cancer because of changes to their DNA. A small percentage (about 5% to 10%) of prostate cancers are linked to such changes.
- Hormone levels:
High levels of male hormones (androgens) may play a part in prostate cancer risk in some men. Some authorities say men with high levels of the hormone called IGF-1 are more likely to get prostate cancer, but others dispute this.
- Race:
Nobody knows why, but If you are African-Caribbean or African-American you are at higher risk than among white men, whereas if you are Asian, you are at lower risk.
- Nationality:
Prostate cancer is most common in North America and northwestern Europe. It is less common in Asia, Africa, Central and South America.
- Diet:
A high fat diet may increase your risk. Men who eat a lot of red meat or high-fat dairy products seem to have a greater chance of getting prostate cancer. But note, these men also tend to eat fewer fruits and vegetables, and no-one's sure which of these factors causes the risk to go up. Diets high in cooked tomatoes and high in phyto-estrogens found in soy products, lentils, beans and wholegrain cereals have also been reported to have a protective effect against prostate cancer but the evidence is not conclusive.
In any event, a low fat diet is generally accepted to be better for your heart, so the best advice is to eat 5 or more servings of vegetables and fruits each day and to eat less red meat and high-fat dairy products.
- Exercise:
Although most studies have not shown a link to exercise, one recent study found that men over the age of 65 who exercised vigorously had a lower rate of prostate cancer.
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