At present moment the cause of prostate cancer is unknown. What is only known is the characteristics of those men who are inclined to develop prostate problems. These are known as “risk factors” that is to say men with these characteristics are at greater risk of developing the cancer. Nevertheless it is significant to understand that all men are at risk of prostate cancer and even young men who have no history of cancer in their family can develop prostate cancer.
Age
It has been proved that age is the chief risk factor for developing prostate cancer. As men get older they get an increased chance of developing all types of cancer including cancer of the prostate. Prostate cancer is pretty unusual below the age of 50 years however four out of every ten men who are 70 years or older will develop the disease. Lots of these men will live normally without knowing they have prostate cancer and without it giving them any symptoms or cutting their years.
Diet
In actual fact, diet may have an influence on the progress of prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is more common in men who have a “western” diet high in saturated fats. Saturated fats are found in red meats such as beef, lamb etc and in some dairy produce such as butter and things made with butter like cakes, biscuits etc., and also in highly processed foods e.g. ready meals.
It looks like that men who have a diet high in saturated fat are at enlarged risk of developing prostate cancer. It is also widely considered that a diet high in fruit and vegetables helps to avoid different types of cancers. This may be through the action of cancer protective chemicals found in many fruit and vegetables known as “anti-oxidants”. This is one of the reasons it is recommended that we include five portions of fruit and vegetables in our diet every single day.
Hormones
It is commonly known that the male hormones are inclined to encourage the development of prostate cancers and prostate cancer is very atypical in men who have been castrated before the age of 40 years. This is probable to be because the normal prostate gland is affected by male hormones when carrying out its normal functions in the body. Prostate cancer cells create and have some features like to these normal prostate cells including being influenced by male hormones.
Genetic
Prostate problems also tend to present in some families which could suggest part of the cause of some prostate cancers is genetic or hereditary. If your father or brother has prostate cancer your chance of developing doubles. Nevertheless only a small number of all prostate cancers are caused by a known faulty gene and most happen at random.
Race
Prostate cancer is observed more commonly in certain ethnic groups e.g. African-Americans.
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