The causes of prostate cancer are not understood but studies have found that a number of risk factors are associated with the disease.

Age

Prostate cancer is primarily a disease of older men and the relative risk increases with age.

Family history

A man has a higher risk of developing prostate cancer if his father or brother had the disease.

Race

It has been observed that prostate cancer is more common in black men than white men  and less common in Asian men.

Diet and dietary factors

Prostate cancer has been associated with the consumption of meat and dairy products and is less common among those who consume more rice, soybean products or green and yellow vegetables. It follows that men who have a high fat diet may increase their risk of the disease.

Testosterone

To work properly the prostate needs male hormones known as androgens, which are responsible for male sex characteristics.

The main male hormone is testosterone, produced mainly by the testicles. Others are produced in small amounts by the adrenal glands.

Elevated testosterone levels have been linked to the promotion of an existing prostate tumour rather than to tumour initiation.  Therefore, anything that is able to manipulate levels of testosterone can increase or decrease risk accordingly.

Animal fat is thought to increase testosterone. Men who have a diet low in fat and high in fibre reduce the concentration and activity of testosterone, which, in turn, reduces the stimulation of prostate cells.

Vasectomy

There have been some studies that have suggested that having a vasectomy may increase your risk  but these findings are not generally supported by research literature.

Reducing risk

Men can reduce their risk of developing prostate cancer by changing their diet. In general a diet low in animal fat and high in fibre, fruit and vegetables is believed to guard against prostate cancer.

More specifically, there is evidence that men who eat at least one serving of tomato-based food a day also lower their risk. Tomatoes contain an antioxdant called lycopene that is thought to have protective properties against prostate cancer.

Regular physical activity has also been shown to reduce risk of disease.

Click here to read more about reducing the risk of cancer.

02/06/2009