There is no known cause of prostate cancer.Like many other cancers, we have not yet isolated a causal relationship between the growth of cancer cells and any one or set of factors. However, statistics have shown relationships between a limited number of factors and the development of prostate cancer.

Testosterone

Testosterone is a male hormone that is present in all men. Testosterone does not cause prostate cancer, but is known to feed the growth of cancer cells. This is why one form of treatment for prostate cancer involves the blocking of the body's testosterone production.

Age

Men over fifty have been proven to be at higher risk for prostate cancer. Risk increases exponentially as age advances. This is one area of intense focus for cancer researchers. One theory is that the aging process causes biochemical reactions that lead to abnormal cell growth. Regardless of why age is linked to the onset of prostate cancer, it is necessary that as men age, they are screened regularly for the disease.

Heredity

Like other forms of cancer, prostate cancer is more likely in a man whose father was diagnosed with the disease. Additionally, African American men are almost twice as likely to contract prostate cancer than their Caucasian counterparts. Researchers have identified specific genes they theorize may be responsible for carrying the predetermination for contracting prostate cancer, but they are still in the research phase.

Genetics

Genetic flaws have been identified in many different cancer victims, prostate and otherwise. Researchers are working to learn what has caused these defects and to determine if there is a causal relationship between the genetic abnormality and the cancer. Some research suggests that these flaws may prevent secretion of necessary enzymes that defend vulnerable cells against cancer-causing agents.

Diet and Weight

There has been increasing evidence that a diet high in animal fat is somehow a factor in the contraction of prostate cancer. A diet high in saturated fats appear to increase the risk of prostate cancer; obesity has also proved to be related to a cancer diagnosis. Inversely, a diet high in fiber and rich in vegetables and fruit, especially tomatoes, may contribute to a decrease in the risk of developing prostate cancer.

These factors have all been found to be linked with the onset of prostate cancer, but no one factor has been determined to be a cause of the disease. Not every man who fits into one or more of these high risk groups will contract prostate cancer, and not every cancer victim will have fallen in any of these groups. Therefore, regardless of lifestyle or family history, men over the age of fifty should be sure to be screened regularly for prostate cancer.

< Prev   Next >