Prostate Cancer: Who's at Risk?
risk factor: Anything that increases a person's chance of developing a disease, including a substance, agent, genetic alteration, trait, habit, or condition.
While there is no known cause for prostate cancer, there are factors that may increase a man's chance of developing the disease: age, race, genetics and lifestyle.
Age: The risk for prostate cancer increases with age, with men over the age of 65 at highest risk. The average age of patients at the time of diagnosis is 70. However, 25 percent of all cases are diagnosed under the age of 65.
Family History: Scientists believe that certain inherited genes predispose men to prostate cancer. Studies show that a man's risk for the disease more than doubles if a close relative has prostate cancer. With two relatives, his risk increases fivefold. With three relatives, his risk for developing prostate cancer is nearly one hundred percent.
Race: African-Americans have the highest rates of prostate cancer. They are more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer and have a mortality rate more than double that of white males. Genetics, testosterone levels and diet are believed to contribute to their increased risk.
Asian men have the lowest incidence for prostate cancer. However, research shows that as Asian men emigrate to the United States, the rates of prostate cancer rise to levels almost identical to those of white Americans. Scientists believe a critical factor is diet.
Diet: Some evidence suggests that a diet high in animal fat may increase the risk of prostate cancer and a diet high in fruits and vegetables may decrease the risk. Studies are in progress to learn whether men can reduce their risk of prostate cancer by taking certain dietary supplements.
Nutritionists are studying how a low-fat diet high in such nutrients as soy protein and fiber may reduce the risk of prostate cancer.
Click here for information on Nutrition & Prostate Cancer.
Other Risk Factors: Although a few studies suggested that having a vasectomy might increase a man's risk for prostate cancer, most studies do not support this finding. Scientists have studied whether obesity, lack of exercise, smoking, radiation exposure, benign prostatic hyperplasia, or a sexually transmitted virus might increase the risk for prostate cancer. At this time, there is little evidence that these factors contribute to an increased risk.
