What Causes Prostate Cancer?
Next to skin cancer, prostate cancer ranks second as the most common cancer in men. According to the American Cancer Society, about 2 million American males have received a diagnosis of prostate cancer. However, only one man out of 35 actually dies from it. Fortunately, prostate cancer rarely spreads to other body organs. As a slow-growing tumor, prostate cancer usually doesn't have symptoms until reaching advanced stages. Although it's not certain what causes prostate cancer, there are certain risk factors making a man more prone to develop the disease.
Identification
Prostate cancer is caused by a malignant tumor on the prostate gland. Found only in males, the prostate gland is located below the bladder, in front of the rectum, and it is the size of a walnut. The prostate is made up of cells that make semen, which is the fluid protecting and nourishing sperm.
Genetics and DNA Changes
Prostate cancer tends to have a genetic nature, with men having fathers or brothers with the disease more likely to develop it. DNA makes up human genes controlling how cells behave. Roughly 5 to 10 percent of prostate cancers are connected to DNA-inherited changes.
Testosterone
The male hormone known as testosterone is not a cause of prostate cancer. However, it may feed the growth of the cancer. That's why some treatments for prostate cancer are designed to block the body's amount of testosterone that's produced.
High Hormone Levels
Higher levels of other hormones, besides testosterone, may be a cause of prostate cancer. For example, higher amounts of androgens (male hormones) may increase the chances for prostate cancer in some men. According to the American Cancer Society, research has shown that men who have high levels of a hormone known as IGF-1 are more likely to develop prostate cancer.
Aging
The strongest cause of prostate cancer is age. After a man turns 50, the odds go up rapidly with almost two out of three cases of prostate cancer involving men who are over age 65.
Race and Nationality
Although the reason is unknown, this type of cancer is more common among African Americans than other races. What's more, men of African-American descent are more prone to have the disease in advanced stages when it's diagnosed, as well as to die from it. Next to African-American men, the cancer mostly develops in white males. Those least likely to have prostate cancer are Asian Americans and men of the Hispanic and Latino races. It's unknown why certain races are more susceptible than others. As for nationality, prostate cancer occurs more in North America and northwestern Europe, as well as a few other regions. It's rarer in Asia, Central and South America and Africa.
Diet and Exercise
Obese men have more body fat, making them more at risk for prostate cancer. Eating too much high-fat dairy products and red meat increases the chances for this cancer. Men lacking sufficient fruits and vegetables in their diet are also at risk. Because exercise lowers the odds of prostate cancer, men who are basically inactive are more at risk for the disease.
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