How do Men get Prostate Cancer?

The prostate is a walnut-sized gland at the base of the urinary bladder in males & surrounds the urethra. The function of this gland is to produce fluid that transfers sperms during ejaculation.Men usually suffer from urinary obstructive symptoms due to benign enlargement of the prostate as they age. However, sometimes, this enlargement of the prostate may be disorganised & uncontrolled when it leads to prostate cancer.

Risks that can cause Prostate Cancer:
Why prostate cancer occurs is still unknown. There is no one specific reason for the development of Prostate cancer. However, there are several risk factors that may affect a person’s risk of getting prostate cancer. These risk factors include:

• Age: Incidence increases with age. It rarely occurs in men younger than 40 years.
• Ethnicity: Prostate cancer occurs more commonly in African–Americans. White and Asian men have about half the incidence compared to blacks.
• Geography: Incidence varies in different geographical areas, highest in North America and Northern Europe. Incidence is still relatively low but rising in Asian countries. Higher rates in developed areas may be due to better screening, heredity, diet and environment.
• Family/Hereditary: There is 2 -11 times higher risk of prostate cancer developing in those whose close relatives (father, brother) have already been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Risk increases manifold in patients with multiple family members suffering from carcinoma prostate & those with early age of diagnosis.
• Diet: High-Calorie Diet, Excess fat and refined sugar, Less fruits, vegetables and exercise & Obesity may increase the risk of prostate cancer.One way to avoid death from prostate cancer is to lose weight and keep it off.
• Smoking: Prostate cancer risk may double for heavy smokers.Within 10 years of quitting smoking; your risk goes down to that of a non–smoker of the same age.

As is clear now, genetic factors clearly play a role in the causation of prostate cancer which may be inherited or acquired due to mutations. Rest all causes are still investigational.Hence adopting a healthy lifestyle & periodic check-ups is the best we can do to protect ourselves from this disease.