Causes and risk factors of prostate cancer
The exact cause of prostate cancer is not known.
In general, cancer is caused by mutations (changes) in the DNA of cells that cause
those cells to grow and divide rapidly. But different types of cancer
have different risk factors.
DNA is inherited from your parents, and about 5% to 10% of all prostate cancers
are due to mutations that were passed along at conception. If a member
of your immediate family has had prostate cancer, you are at a higher risk of developing
prostate cancer.
Other factors that may influence a person's risk of prostate cancer include:
- Age: The risk of developing prostate cancer increases significantly
after age 50
- Race: Prostate cancer occurs more often in African-American men
than in Caucasian men. African-American men are more than twice as likely to die
of prostate cancer
- Nationality: Prostate cancer rates are higher in North America
and northwest Europe and lower in Asia, Africa, and Central and South America
- Diet: A diet high in fruits and vegetables and low in fat is considered
a good way to reduce the risk of prostate cancer
- Physical activity: Keeping physically active and at a healthy weight
may reduce the risk of prostate cancer
The following factors may or may not be prostate cancer risk factors—more research
is needed to find out:
- Prostate inflammation: Some studies have suggested that prostatitis,
or inflammation of the prostate, may be linked to increased risk of prostate cancer.
But other studies have not found such a link
- Infection: Researchers are also working to find out if sexually
transmitted infections like gonorrhea and chlamydia increase the risk of prostate
cancer, possibly by inflaming the prostate. So far, studies have not agreed
- Vasectomy: Earlier studies suggested that men who have had a vasectomy,
a minor surgery to make them infertile, may have had a slightly increased risk for
prostate cancer. But recent studies have not found an increased risk among men who
have had vasectomies
What are genes, and how do they affect prostate
cancer risk?
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