What Are Prostate Cancer Risk Factors?

Sad to say this but all men are at risk in terms of developing prostate cancer. About one out of 6 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime but only one out of 34 will die of this disease.

Around 80 percent of men have prostate cancer upon reaching the age of 80. There are other factors that may contribute to the risk aside from gender. These include age, race, and family history.

However, age is the greatest risk factor of all other risks. This increases significantly after the age of 50 in Caucasian men without family history of the disease and after the age of 40 among black men who have a close relative with prostate cancer. About two-thirds of all diagnosed with prostate cancer, the age of men is 65 and older.

Having relatives that have had prostate cancer is also considered as high risk as well. According to the American Cancer Society, having a father and brother diagnosed of the disease doubles the risk of having prostate cancer. With a brother having prostate cancer alone seems to increase more than having an affected father does. With multiple family members affected, the risk is even higher. Prostate cancer screening should start at the age of 40 in these men.

Genes appear to increase prostate cancer risk although testing these genes from studies were not identified and not yet available. However, experts estimate that the genetic form of prostate cancer accounts for just 5-10% of all cases.

The development of prostate cancer in African American men is 60% more compared to white American men and when diagnosed is more likely to be ahead. However, living in their native countries, Japanese and African males have a low incidence of prostate cancer. The rates for these groups increase sharply when they immigrate to the U.S, where the African American are the second group pf men whom prostate cancer testing must begin upon reaching the age of 40.

Several experts formulated theories suggesting an environmental connection. A relation to high-fat diets, less exposure to sun, exposure to metals like cadmium, infectious agents, or smoking could be a possibility. Up to date, reasons for these racial differences are not yet understood.

High dietary fat may be considered as another contributing factor for prostate cancer, as suggested by conducted researches. That is why compared to countries where the basic diet includes rice, soybean products, and vegetables, it is a common disease in countries where the basic dietary staples consist more of meat and dairy products.

A part of several studies to defeat the prevalence of this disease is proper nutrition. Fruits and vegetables that contain much antioxidant lycopene lower the risk of developing prostate cancer. High levels of antioxidant lycopene can be found in tomatoes, grapefruit, and watermelon.

This is Dr. Ralph A Highshaw, MD and I have 20 years of medical study, specializing on Urology. If you would like to learn more about prostate cancer, its diagnosis, treatment, or management, feel free to contact me or visit my website, www.SouthernCaliforniarologist.com.