A risk factor is anything that you have or do that might increase your chances of developing a disease or condition. Alot of cancers have risk factors associated with carcinogens such as cigarette smoke, chemicals, sunlight, etc. Other risk factors for developing a cancer might be race, age, geographic location, genetics and family history.

While prostate cancer has no specific risk cancer such as smoking is linked to lung cancer, and the causes of prostate cancer are not complety understood. There are some risk factors that might increase a persons chance of developing prostate cancer.

 

Risk Factors for Prostate Cancer:

Age : a persons age is probably the number 1 risk factors linked to prostate cancer. If you are over 50 your chance of developing prostate cancer dramtically increases. About 66% of all prostate cancers are diagnosed after the age of 65.

Race: African American males are about 60% more likely to develop prostate cancer than Caucasian American men. Also African American males are more likely to be diagnosed at a more advanced stage of prostate cancer.

Family History : genetics have always been linked to prostate cancer and it seems to run in some families. Having a first relative with prostate cancer (father or brother) a persons risk of developing prostate cancer almost doubles. If more than 1 relative has had prostate cancer the risk is even higher.

Diet : through research it has been found that men who eat a high fat and red meat and low vegetable diet have an increased risk of developing prostate cancer. It has also been suggested that a diet high in Lycopene, vitamin D, vitamin E and selenium might lower a persons risk of developing prostate cancer.

 

 

If you are part of any of these groups it is important to discuss this with your physician and possibly have your prostate screening begin at an earlier age than suggested for people in the non risk groups. Also changing your diet if you eat alot of red meats and high fat would be a good thing for you overall health and might increase your chances of never having to deal with prostate cancer. All these options can be discussed with you family doctor.