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Risk factors :
Most scientists agree that these things affect the risk of ovarian
cancer. Some may apply to you, but others may not.
Age and Prostate cancer :
The risk of Prostate cancer goes up with age. Over 90 percent of cases
are diagnosed in men over the age of 55.
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Height and Prostate cancer :
Tall men have a higher risk of Prostate cancer. Scientists aren't sure
why. One reason may be that tall people have more cells in their bodies, which
increases the number of cells that could become cancerous. Another reason may
be that tall people grow faster as children. Faster growth is linked to changes
in the genetic structure (DNA) of the body's cells, eventually causing them to
become cancerous. Tall men also have a higher risk of colon cancer. Tall women
have a higher risk of breast cancer and colon cancer.
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Foods with animal fat and Prostate cancer :
Men who eat less than 5 servings a day of foods that contain animal
fat have a lower risk of Prostate cancer. Scientists aren't sure why. One
reason may be that animal fat affects hormone levels that raise Prostate cancer
risk. Foods that contain fat from animals include beef, lamb, whole milk, and
cheese. One serving is a small amount of food, enough to fit in the palm of
your hand. Men who eat limited amounts of animal fat may also have lower blood
cholesterol levels and a lower risk of heart attack.
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Foods with tomatoes and Prostate cancer :
Men who eat at least one serving of tomato-based food a day have a lower risk
of Prostate cancer. Tomatoes have an antioxidant called lycopene. Antioxidants
are powerful substances that can help protect cells from becoming cancerous.
Tomato-based foods include spaghetti sauce, tomatoes, salsa and even pizza
sauce! One serving is about 1/2 cup of sauce.
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Vasectomy and Prostate cancer :
A vasectomy is an operation that prevents sperm from traveling from the
testicles to the penis. It is one of the most popular forms of birth control in
the US. Men who have vasectomies have a slightly higher risk of Prostate
cancer. Scientists aren't sure why.
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Family history and Prostate cancer :
Men who have a father or brother with Prostate cancer have a higher risk of the
disease. This is because some Prostate cancer is linked to mutations or changes
in DNA. These mutations can be passed on from generation to generation. The
younger and closer the relative, the higher the risk.
With many diseases, people who have a family history have a higher risk. A
family history raises the risk of several cancers like bladder, kidney and skin
cancer. It also raises risk of heart disease, diabetes, bone loss
(osteoporosis) and stroke.
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African-American ethnicity and
Prostate cancer :
African-American men have a higher risk of Prostate cancer. In fact, they have
the highest rates of Prostate cancer in the world. Although scientists aren't
sure why, one possibility is that African-American men have hormone levels that
are linked to higher risk. As a group, African-American men also eat foods that
increase their risk of the disease.
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Asian ethnicity and Prostate cancer :
Asian men have a lower risk of Prostate cancer than other men. Although
scientists aren't sure why, one possibility is that Asian men eat foods that
are linked to lower risk. Or they may have hormone levels that lower their risk
of the disease.
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