Causes of Prostate Cancer
by Beth G. Hodges, MD

Causes of prostate cancer have been studied and debated for years and are still a prime area of research.

Race

African American men develop prostate cancer in western civilizations 61% more often than do Caucasion men. Interestingly enough, Asian men living in Asia have the lowest rates of prostate cancer worldwide, but if they emigrate to the West, that risk increases significantly over time.

Family History

A man with 1 close relative (father, son, brother) with prostate cancer is twice as likely as another man to develop the disease. A man with more than 1 close relative with the disease is almost four times as likely to suffer it, so there is a strong genetic link. The younger the age of the affected relatives, the greater the risk. In other words, if a man's father developed prostate cancer at age 45, that man is much more likely to develop the disease than a man whose father developed it at age 70.

High Fat Diet

High fat diets and sedentary lifestyles seem to increase the risk of prostate cancer. Conversely, diets high in cooked tomatoes, fish, and fruits/vegetables lessen the likelihood of the disease. Smoking seems to significantly increase the risk, as it does with most types of cancer.

Prevention of Prostate Cancer

Prevention of prostate cancer involves the guidelines listed above. Also, recent studies have shown that more frequent sexual activity over a lifetime decreases the likelihood of prostate cancer for a man.

The most critical thing to say about prostate cancer is the importance of surveillance. Average risk men over fifty and higher risk men over 40 (including African Americans) should receive annual digital rectal exams and PSA screenings (blood test.) Early diagnosis is the best hope for a cure.

Published - October, 2009