Cancer is caused when something affects the genetic material of our cells. This causes the cells to reproduce in an uncontrollable manner, creating a lump of tissue, known as a tumour.
What makes the cells in the prostate become cancerous is unknown.
There are a number of known risk factors for developing prostate cancer, which are discussed below.
- Age – the risk of prostate cancer rises with age, from about 50 years, and increases as you get older.
- Ethnic group – prostate cancer is more common among men of African-Caribbean and African descent. The condition is relatively rare among men of Asian and South and Central American descent.
- Family history – having a close male relative, such as a brother, father or uncle, who had prostate cancer seems to increase the risk of you developing prostate cancer. Research also shows that having a close female relative who developed breast cancer may also increase the risk of you developing the condition.
- Obesity, diet and exercise – recent research suggests that there may be a link between obesity and prostate cancer. Research is ongoing into the links between diet and prostate cancer. There is evidence that a diet high in calcium is linked to an increased risk of developing prostate cancer.
In addition, some research has shown that prostate cancer rates appear to be lower in people who eat foods containing certain nutrients including lycopene, found in tomatoes and other red fruit, and selenium, found in brazil nuts. Men who take regular exercise have also been found to be at lower risk of developing prostate cancer.
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