This website was developed to help you in your search for answers about prostate cancer and prostate cancer treatment. Although we are not doctors or researchers we have compiled information on what prostate cancer is, how to prevent and detect prostate cancer and available treatments. The prostate is a gland found only in men and is about the size of a walnut located just below and in front of the rectum. Most of the time prostate cancer grows slowly beginning, it is believed by most doctors, with very small changes in the size and shape of the prostate gland cells.
Before we discuss the available treatments, such as radiation for prostate cancer, we will list some of the risk factors for developing cancer of the prostate. It is not known what causes prostate cancer but the risk factors that have been linked to the development of the disease are known. There are many risk factors associated with the development of any cancer although some can be controlled, such as smoking, and some cannot such as age or family history. Listed below are some of the factors that can increase the risk of developing prostate cancer.
- Age: the chance of getting cancer of the prostate goes up as a man gets older.
- Race: for unknown reasons, prostate cancer is more common among African-American men then white men. They are also twice as likely to die from the disease. Asian men develop it less often than white men.
- Nationality: Prostate cancer is more common in North America and northwestern Europe . This might be attributed to PSA testing being done less often elsewhere.
- Family history: The odds are higher if a family member, especially those that were younger, developed the disease.
- Diet: A greater chance of developing prostate cancer is seen in men who eat a lot of red meat or dairy products high in fat. These same men often eat less vegetables and fruits. It is not sure which of these factors increases the rate of prostate cancer.
- Exercise: Staying at a healthy weight and exercising enough can reduce the risk of prostate cancer although the link is not clear.
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