Prostate Cancer Risk Factors

At what age does prostate cancer become present?

Well, we used to believe that prostate cancer was a malignancy of older men. But actually in the modern era, beginning in the Vietnam War when the number of young men died and underwent autopsies, surprisingly we found a fair amount of prostate cancer that was small and dormant but nevertheless present. Over time, we have come to understand that prostate cancer may be present in men as young as their early forties.

How does prostate cancer develop?

Well, we really don't know what the etiology of prostate cancer are. There are certain genetic factors such as that it does run in families, there are environmental causes, dietary differences, and racial differences. Now, one interesting fact is that Asian men in their native country tend to have a low incidence of prostate cancer; if you move them to a western country, with a western diet, their incidence rises and much more closely approximates the western men.

What are the risk factors in developing prostate cancer?

Some of the risk factors include hereditary causes, and it does tend to run in families, dietary, and obesity. There was a concern that having a vasectomy increases the risk, but this has subsequently been dismissed.

How does age affect my risk of prostate cancer?

Over time, the incidents of prostate cancer does increase. We see the earliest cases of prostate cancer beginning at age 40, and the next milestone tends to be 50. Beyond that, as men age, the number of incidents goes up significantly.

Does one race have a higher risk of prostate cancer than others?

Well, the black male is at higher risk for prostate cancer. The incidents of prostate cancer is higher in black men and age matched and stage matched, the prostate cancer tends to be more virulent in the black male.

What areas of the world are most at risk for prostate cancer?

Well North America is an area of high risk and also North-western Europe. We're not sure of all the risk factors, it may be dietary, climate, and including what we call sunbelt distribution of prostate cancer.