Avoid These Prostate Cancer Risk Factors

Once a man hits middle age, the prospect of prostate cancer looms larger with each passing year. It’s one of the most common cancers among men in Los Angeles and worldwide, and, except for lung and bronchus cancer, it is men’s deadliest cancer.

Through years of research and clinical studies, a variety of risk factors has been found to be conclusively associated with prostate cancer. The experts at the Prostate Cancer Institute of Los Angeles are at the research forefront of prostatic cancer prevention, testing, diagnostics, and treatments. We want you to understand that you can recover from this disease and live a fruitful, enjoyable life.

Prostate Gland Cancer

If detected early enough, this disease is treatable and beatable. Many men who do succumb to the cancer are often found to have had their cancer detected too late, diagnosed improperly, or treated ineffectively.

The prostate gland is roughly the size of a walnut, situated beneath the bladder and in front of the rectum. The gland regulates the bladder and builds healthy sperm, which is why many symptoms of prostate cancer involve unusual changes in sexual or urinary habits.

Known Risk Factors

The following reminders are worth noting first:

• Having one or more of the following risk factors does not mean prostate cancer is a given
• Having NO risk factors does not mean you don’t have or won’t get this cancer

However, as part of a long-term prostate cancer prevention plan, it’s still better to avoid the following known risk factors that can be sidestepped while trying to limit the impact that the other risk factors might have.

50 and Above

Age is the biggest risk factor of all. For men under 40, this cancer is rare and even for men in their 40s, the risk is low. After 50, though, the risks begin to increase and once men reach 65, according to the American Cancer Society, the chances significantly increase—about 60 percent of all cases are in men over 65.

Ethnic Group / Race

Although research has found that certain races and ethnic groups are more susceptible, scientists and the experts at the Prostate Cancer Institute of Los Angeles are still working to determine why.

Black American men and Caribbean men with African ancestry are most at risk, as this cancer occurs most often in these two groups. Black men are also more than two times as likely to die from the disease as white men are. For American men with Asian or Hispanic ancestry, the chances of getting prostate cancer are less likely than they are for black or white American men.

Geographical Region

It’s been found that men from North America, Australia, northern and western Europe, and Caribbean island nations are more likely to get this disease, while it’s less common in men from Central America, South America, Asia, and Africa.

The reasons why men in certain regions are more vulnerable than men in other regions are not clear. Lifestyle could have an impact, although the extent is also unknown, especially in light of anomalous information such as this: American men of Asian descent are at less risk than their white counterparts, yet they are more at risk than their counterparts actually living in Asia.

In the Genes

Many studies have found that the majority of prostate cancer cases occur in men who have no history of it in their family. However, research also shows that a man’s risk more than doubles if a first-degree relative (i.e. father or brother) has had the disease.

Moreover, studies have found that a man’s risk increases more if a brother has had it than if the father has had it. An even higher risk has been attributed to men with several relatives who have or have had prostate cancer.

Changes in Genomes or in the Prostate Itself

Although gene mutations are thought to account for only a small number of cases nationwide, there are several types that could contribute to the cancer. For example, inherited genome changes are a common cause of Lynch syndrome, a condition found to increase one’s risk not only for a prostate tumor but also for several other types of cancer including colon.

As for changes in the gland itself, studies indicate that “atypical small acinar proliferations” (sometimes called ASAP) may increase a man’s risk of this disease. This finding on biopsy even in absence of cancer warrants close surveillance and repeat biopsy. Other lesions such as HGPIN (high grade intra epithelia neoplasia) may also increase the risk of prostate cancer in future.

Possible Factors That Continue to Be Researched

In addition to the established risk factors above, possible others have been identified, though irrefutable evidence has not yet been clarified.

For example, there could be a link between diet and prostate tumors because men who consume high-fat dairy and a lot of red meat, as well as fewer fruits and vegetables, seem to have a higher risk. Precise links have yet to be found, however.

Other risk factors being researched include a previous vasectomy, smoking, prostate inflammation, exposure to chemicals, STDs, obesity, high consumption of calcium, and a sedentary lifestyle.

Slow-Growing vs Aggressive Prostate Cancers

According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, prostate cancer is actually more than one disease, which means there are multiple causes. Thus, the tumors that are aggressive and kill have different fundamental causes from the slow-growing ones, as the following examples illustrate:

• Obese men are not at a greater risk of developing the cancer, yet they are more likely to have an aggressive tumor
• Smokers are no more likely to get a slow-growing form of the cancer, yet are a slightly higher risk of getting a more aggressive type
• Men who lack fruits and vegetables in their diet are at an increased risk of the aggressive cancer but not of the slow-growing type

Do You Have Questions? Contact a Prostate Specialist in LA

Although some risk factors cannot be avoided, such as age or ethnicity, other risk factors can be. To learn more about known risk factors as well as ones still being researched, contact the Prostate Cancer Institute of Los Angeles online or at 310.341.2557.

Next, read Active Surveillance: What Is It and Who Is a Candidate?