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Prostate cancer is one of the leading cancers that affect men, and certain factors can put you at greater risk. Fortunately, prostate cancer is often treated successfully, and treatment outcomes are usually better if the disease is treated in an early stage. Even though it’s often difficult to determine who exactly will get prostate cancer, these five possible causes are often linked to the onset of the disease.
1. Age
If you’re a man who’s 50 years of age or older, your chances of developing prostate cancer naturally increase. However, if you are African American or have a father or brother who was diagnosed with the disease, your chances of developing the cancer begin to increase at age 45. You’re at even greater risk for prostate cancer if a first-degree relative was diagnosed with the cancer at an earlier age, and your doctor may suggest getting prostate cancer screenings starting at age 40.
2. Genetics
A family history of prostate cancer puts you at greater risk, and you may have inherited specific gene mutations that are linked to the condition. The BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations, which increase breast and ovarian cancer risks in women, can also cause prostate cancer in some men. If you’ve been diagnosed with a condition known as Lynch syndrome, your chances of getting prostate cancer also may increase.
Obesity may be a contributing factor to prostate cancer, and eating fatty, high-calorie foods can put you over a healthy weight limit and spur the onset of the disease. Evidence also shows a higher rate of prostate cancer among men who consume a lot of calcium, and your consumption of dairy and other high-calcium foods may need to be reduced to lower your risk.
4. Exposure to Certain Chemicals
If you currently work or have previously worked as a firefighter, you may be likelier to develop prostate cancer in your life if you’ve been exposed to certain chemicals on the job. Cadmium, which is a chemical that’s used in batteries and other products, can increase your prostate cancer risk if you’ve been exposed to high levels of the chemical at your workplace or in other settings. If you served in the Vietnam War and had any contact with the chemical known as Agent Orange, you may receive a prostate cancer diagnosis in your lifetime.
5. Location of Residence
Prostate cancer is known to occur at higher rates among men who live in North America, Australia, and northwestern Europe. The common diets and other lifestyle factors in these particular regions may be linked to prostate cancer development.
By knowing some of the possible causes of prostate cancer, you can know whether you should schedule a screening for this condition. A urologist can perform a series of tests to determine if you have prostate cancer and suggest treatment options that may give you a good outcome if you’re diagnosed with the condition.
