Prostate Cancer Causes

The cause of prostate cancer is unknown, but hormonal, genetic, environmental, and dietary factors are thought to play roles. The following risk factors have been linked with development of this condition:

• Age: There is a strong correlation between increasing age and developing prostate cancer. The incidence of prostate cancer increases steadily from fewer than 1 in 100,000 for men aged 40 years to 1146 per 100,000 in men aged 85 years. The median age at diagnosis of prostate cancer is 70.5 years. More than 80% of prostate cancers are diagnosed in men older than 65 years. Autopsy records indicate that 70% of men older than 90 years have at least one region of cancer in their prostate.
  
  
• Race: African American men are 1.5-2 times more likely than white men to develop prostate cancer. African American men also appear to develop prostate cancer at an earlier age.
  
  
• Genetic factors: Men who have a history of prostate cancer in their family, especially if it was a first-degree relative such as a father or brother, are at an increased risk. This risk may be 2-3 times greater than the risk for men without a family history of the disease.
  
  
• Diet: A diet high in fat has been associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer.
  
  
• Chemical agents: Exposure to chemicals such as cadmium has been implicated in the development of prostate cancer.

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Prostate Cancer - Symptoms At Onset Of Disease

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The symptoms of prostate cancer can vary greatly from patient to patient. What were your symptoms at the onset of your disease?

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