Risk Factors
When you're told you have prostate cancer, it's
natural to wonder what may have caused the disease.
But no one knows the exact causes of prostate cancer.
Doctors seldom know why one man develops prostate
cancer and another doesn't.
However, research has shown that men with certain
risk factors are more likely than others to develop
prostate cancer. A risk factor is something that may
increase the chance of getting a disease.
Studies have found the following risk factors for
prostate cancer:
- Age over 65: Age is the main risk factor for prostate
cancer. The chance of getting prostate cancer
increases as you get older. In the United States, most
men with prostate cancer are over 65. This disease is
rare in men under 45.
- Family history: Your risk is higher if your father,
brother, or son had prostate cancer.
- Race: Prostate cancer is more common among black
men than white or Hispanic/Latino men. It's less
common among Asian/Pacific Islander and
American Indian/Alaska Native men.
-
Certain prostate changes: Men with cells called
high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN)
may be at increased risk of prostate cancer. These
prostate cells look abnormal under a microscope.
- Certain genome changes: Researchers have found
specific regions on certain chromosomes that are
linked to the risk of prostate cancer. According to
recent studies, if a man has a genetic change in one
or more of these regions, the risk of prostate cancer
may be increased. The risk increases with the
number of genetic changes that are found. Also,
other studies have shown an elevated risk of prostate
cancer among men with changes in certain genes,
such as BRCA1 and BRCA2.
Having a risk factor doesn't mean that a man will
develop prostate cancer. Most men who have risk
factors never develop the disease.
Many other possible risk factors are under study. For
example, researchers have studied whether vasectomy
(surgery to cut or tie off the tubes that carry sperm out
of the testicles) may pose a risk, but most studies have
found no increased risk. Also, most studies have shown
that the chance of getting prostate cancer is not
increased by tobacco or alcohol use, BPH, a sexually
transmitted disease, obesity, a lack of exercise, or a diet
high in animal fat or meat. Researchers continue to
study these and other possible risk factors.
Researchers are also studying how prostate cancer
may be prevented. For example, they are studying the
possible benefits of certain drugs, vitamin E, selenium,
green tea extract, and other substances. These studies
are with men who have not yet developed prostate
cancer.
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