Risk Factors For Developing Prostate Cancer

The exact cause of prostate cancer has not yet been discovered. No one can explain why one man develops prostate problems and cancer and the other man does not. Prostate cancer cannot be “caught” from another person. Cancer is not contagious. There are some risk factors that make it more likely for some men to develop prostate cancer.

Age is the number one cause of prostate cancer. It is rare to find a man under the age of 40 to have prostate cancer. The chances of that happening are 1 in 10,000! As a man grows older his chances of developing prostate cancer rise dramatically. Most men who develop prostate cancer are over the age of 65.

Family history is another risk factor for prostate cancer. If a man has a father or brother who has had the disease, he is more likely to develop prostate cancer. Race is another deciding factor. Prostate cancer is found in more African-American men than white or Hispanic men. Asian and American Indian men have a smaller risk of developing this disease.

A little known risk of developing prostate cancer is men with prostate cells called (PIN) prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia. These cells look abnormal under a microscope and men with these cells are at a higher risk of getting prostate cancer.

Diet is another factor is deciding who develops prostate cancer. Scientists have proved that those men who have diets rich in fats and red meats are more at risk of developing cancer. Men who eat plenty of fruits and vegetables have been shown to have a lower risk of developing this disease.

This is a few risk factors but the good news is you can control some of them. Obviously you cannot control your race, or your family history and you can’t stop the aging process. You can help yourself by changing your dietary habits and taking better care of your body.

Scientists who have studied prostate cancer are looking at possible links between prostate cancers and smoking, lack of exercise, obesity and a virus passed through sexual intercourse. All of these risk factors are being studied and are not listed as clear risk factors. Scientists are also studying a link between vasectomies and prostate cancer. At this time, this link has not been proven.

Most men who have risk factors like the ones listed above do not mean you will get prostate cancer. Men who do get this disease often do not have any risk factors except they were getting older. One in three men are likely to develop prostate problems or cancer whether they have more than one risk factor or not.

If you think you may have a high risk for developing prostate cancer or have symptoms of the disease, you should contact and talk with your doctor. Your doctor may suggest you see an urologist who specializes in urinary problems and problems with the male reproductive organs. They are up-to-date with all the newest information, research, and treatment plans for prostate cancer.