Risk Factors For Prostate Cancer

A risk factor is defined as a condition, behavior, or other factors that increases a person’s risk of developing a disease such as prostate cancer. While there are several risk factors that can influence the development of the disease, most of them are not a directly linked. Understanding your risk factors will help you in making lifestyle changes that will significantly decrease your risk of developing prostate cancer. The following risk factors are the most common attributed to prostate cancer.

Age

The older you get the greater your risk for developing prostate cancer. This increases greatly after the age of 50 and in over 65% of diagnosed cases In the United States the average age of prostate cancer patients is at least 69 years of age.

Race/Ethnicity

Studies have shown that African American men have a 60% higher risk of developing prostate cancer in their lifetime than Caucasian or Hispanic men. They are also at a much higher risk of developing the disease at an earlier age The exact reasons for the difference among races is still unclear.

Family History

A man with a direct blood relative, such as a father that has had prostate cancer, is two to three times as likely to develop the disease. This risk increases with the number of relatives that are diagnosed with prostate cancer. Prostate cancer which occurs in the family is called “familial prostate cancer” and accounts for nearly 20% of recorded cases.

Diet

Research has yet to establish a direct link between a diet and the increased risk of developing prostate cancer. Past studies have suggested that men who eat foods such as red meat and high-fat dairy products do have a slightly higher chance of developing the disease. There still isn’t enough information available however on whether these particular factors directly contribute to the increased risk.