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Prostate Cancer – What Causes Prostate Cancer?

Since prostate cancer is a common condition among men after they cross the age of 40, several researches and studies have been conducted in the past as well as in the recent times to know what exactly results into prostate cancer.

One does not know what causes prostate cancer, but there are certain risk factors linked to the disease. A risk factor is anything that increases a person's chance of getting the disease. But having a risk factor, or even several, does not mean that you will get the disease. Many people with one or more risk factors never get cancer, while others with this disease may not have any known risk.

Most of these researches and studies mainly focused at understanding the manner in which prostate cancer cells start growing and spreading. However, the results may also indicate factors that contribute to prostate cancer.

Here are some of these factors:

a) Testosterone

This is also known as the male hormone. It is not a cause for prostate cancer. However, it is known to contribute to prostate cancer growth. Hence, some of the prostate cancer treatments usually emphasize on blocking the production of testosterone in the body.

b) Age

Men at the age of 50 and above are at higher risk of getting prostate cancer. The risk usually increases with age. It has been proved that the process of aging tend to produce biochemical reactions that result in growth of cell in an abnormal fashion. As men get older, the risk factor increases.

c) Heredity

In case, the father or an older sibling of an individual has had prostate cancer, he is at higher risk. Certain genes are also responsible for the development of this disease in the body. These genes are known as Heredity prostate cancer genes 1 and 2 and HPCX.

It is not known to what degree the genes influence a prostate cancer. The genetically acquired prostate cancer may develop differently than cancer from other causes. More research into this theory is needed.

d) Genetics

Researches have found out that certain genetic flaws result in different types of cancers. According to a research conducted recently, it has been indicated that a genetic defect is capable of restricting certain men from developing a particular type of enzyme this enzyme must be present in the body to defend against cells that are prone to agents that can cause cancer.

e) Family history

Men with close relatives who have had prostate cancer such as uncle, father, grandfather or brother are at higher risk of developing this disease themselves.

f) Diet

Certain studies have proved that a diet that is high in animal fat content tends to increase an individual’s risk for developing prostate cancer. Diet that is high in vegetables and fruits tend to decrease this risk. High intake of calcium may also increase same risk.

g) Race

The risk of developing prostate cancer is quite high among African-American, more than men from other races. The risk is intermediate among whites and lowest among natives of Japan and Hispanic/Latino. The increased in risk may be due to the other factors related to the race as the reasons for these ethnic differences are not clear.

However, according to someone studies and researches, it has been proved that there is a link between testosterone levels in the body and risk of developing prostate cancer. The levels of testosterone is highest among Afro-American men hence, greater the risk of developing prostate cancer.