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Five Leading Causes Of Prostate Cancer

What Causes Prostate Cancer, Anyway?

Men of all ages should want to know what causes prostate cancer.

Even though the specific causes of prostate cancer are unknown let us explore some risk factors that area likely linked to increased diagnosis of this problem. These are in no particular order. Although I would hasten to add that if the deck is stacked against you because of reasons 4 and 5, the first three obviously take on added importance.

Reason #1: Lack of Exercise
I know that you know regular physical activity is as important as ever. At least as important as eating a healthy balanced diet. Lack of exercise can increase the risk of developing many cancers not just your risk of developing this one.

Scientists suggest that one third of all such cases result from insufficient exercise. And there's no excuse for it. Something as simple as a brisk walk for 30 minutes a day can bring down this risk significantly. Making it so you will never have to have "the talk" with your doctor about the various treatments for prostate cancer.

Reason #2: Obesity
Controlling your weight can reduce the risk of prostate cancer too. Studies indicate your problems increase according to the increase in your BMI (body mass index) coupled with a decrease in the physical activity. Obesity is also thought to be one of the risk factors in both higher grade tumors in your prostate gland and a higher recurrence rate after surgery. Obviously the root cause here is a sedentary life style and too eating too much high calorie junk. Men who slim down can decrease the risk of aggressive cancer by as much as two to three times.

Reason #3: Diet
Excess calories also escalate the risk factor. Eating dairy products and a diet laden with saturated fats like that found in red meat is thought to be the culprit here. Besides doesn't it just make sense that a low fat high fiber diet can decrease your risk profile? Eating five portions of fruit and vegetables can reduce this even further. So include healthy foods like whole grains, fruits, vegetables, even soy products that give you a healthy dose of selenium, Vitamins D and E, lycopene. What you might call natural cancer prevention.

Reason #4: Race
African American men have the highest risk of prostate cancer followed in order by Caucasians, Hispanics, and Asians. The reason could be due to genetics and may also be due to levels of melanin in the skin. In these men it is found that higher levels of melanin inhibit the synthesis of vitamin D which forms a protective barrier of sorts. Plus a diet which focuses on meat and saturated fat may also not help.

Reason #5: Heredity
Which end of the gene pool produced you can also influence your risk of prostate cancer. It is found that there is two fold risk of developing this disease if you have a family history with your brother or father have been treated for symptoms of prostate cancer . It is thought heredity plays a role in nearly one out of 10 cases detected of cancer. Which is why the PSA test should become your best friend.

So be aware of these causes and try to get in enough exercise and eat a diet designed to reduce your risk profile. Okay?

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