Prostate cancer is one of the most common causes of death in men. Based on data from Globocan 2018, as many as 5,007 people in Indonesia died from this disease. However, you can still prevent prostate cancer by recognizing the various factors that can cause and increase the risk of this disease. Then, what are the causes and risk factors for prostate cancer?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are the most common causes of prostate cancer?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Basically, prostate cancer is caused by changes or mutations of DNA in normal prostate cells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These normal cells are supposed to grow and divide at a reasonable rate, then die and are replaced by new cells. However, when DNA mutations occur, these cells live and reproduce uncontrollably.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If this is allowed, these abnormal cells will accumulate and form tumor tissue. Some of these cells can also spread to other organs of the body, which is known as metastasis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
DNA mutations can occur by being inherited from family members (inherited). This condition is found in about 5-10 percent of cases of prostate cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, most people with cancer are likely to develop cancer cells at some point in their life and not a congenital condition. These conditions are also known as acquired gene mutations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, the cause of the DNA mutation that causes prostate cancer is not known for certain. However, experts believe there are several factors that can increase the risk of prostate cancer in men.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various factors that increase the risk of prostate cancer<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prostate cancer is a disease that can happen to anyone. However, several factors are said to increase the risk of developing this disease, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Age<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As you get older, the risk of prostate cancer increases. You are more at risk of developing prostate cancer when you are 50 years old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reporting from the American Cancer Society, six out of ten cases of prostate cancer are found in men over the age of 65. However, in rare cases, this disease can also occur in men under the age of 40 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Family history<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another possible risk factor for prostate cancer is family history. You are up to twice the risk of prostate cancer if you have a father or brother with a history of the disease. In fact, the risk is much higher if your brother gets prostate cancer at a young age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition, you are also at risk for prostate cancer if you have a family member with a history of breast cancer, due to an inherited gene mutation (BRCA1 or BRCA2). Mutations in these genes, particularly BRCA2, also cause a small number of prostate cancer cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Overweight or obesity<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Overweight or obesity is said to increase the risk of developing advanced prostate cancer. In fact, prostate cancer tends to be more deadly in obese men. The relationship between obesity and prostate cancer risk is believed to be related to waist, hip, and abdominal circumference in overweight people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reporting from Harvard Health Publishing, overweight men had an additional 8% risk of prostate cancer, while obese men increased their risk of prostate cancer by 20%. In fact, severe obesity can increase the risk by up to 34%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Height<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A study published in BMC Medicine in 2017 pointed to the fact that tall men are more at risk of developing aggressive prostate cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although height itself is not a cause of cancer, experts see that taller men usually have more cells and a larger prostate volume.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When combined with other risk factors, such as parental hereditary genes, the possibility of the growth of cancer cells in the prostate of tall men is greater than that of men of medium or short height.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. Certain foods<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several studies have found that men who consume a lot of calcium, both from food intake and supplements, are more at risk of developing aggressive prostate cancer. You are also at risk for aggressive prostate cancer if you eat less fiber foods, such as vegetables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to calcium and lack of fiber, foods high in animal fat are also said to increase the risk of prostate cancer, especially when consumed in excess. These foods include red meat (beef, lamb, and pork) and high-fat dairy products (butter, high-fat milk, cheese, and cream).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6. Smoking habit<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several studies have found that smoking can be a contributing factor to aggressive prostate cancer. In fact, smoking increases the risk of dying from prostate cancer slightly. However, these findings still require further research to prove it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
7. Lack of movement<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Men who rarely exercise<\/p>\n\n\n\n
exercise and inactivity are associated with obesity. Therefore, men who are sedentary can be at risk for prostate cancer. On the other hand, men who exercise regularly have a greater chance of recovering and surviving this disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
8. Inflammation of the prostate gland<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inflammation of the prostate gland or prostatitis has been linked to an increased risk of prostate cancer. The reason, inflammation is often seen in prostate tissue samples that also contain cancer. However, the relationship between prostatitis and prostate cancer has not been proven through research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
9. Sexually transmitted diseases<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sexually transmitted diseases, such as gonorrhea and chlamydia, are said to be a cause of prostate cancer. The reason, both diseases can cause inflammation of the prostate. However, so far researchers have not agreed on this and still need further research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
10. Sleep disturbance<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Men who get enough sleep at night tend to have a lower risk of prostate cancer. The reason is that men with adequate and uninterrupted sleep have higher levels of the hormone melatonin, which is thought to inhibit the growth of cancer cells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the other hand, a study published in BMC Cancer in 2019 found that patients with sleep problems were associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer, which increases with age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
11. Certain diseases<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to the risk of colon cancer, Crohn’s disease is also said to increase the risk of prostate cancer. Research from Northwestern Medicine in Illinois found that people with Crohn’s disease had higher PSA (prostate-specific antigen) levels. The high PSA levels can be one of the factors that cause prostate cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The risk factors for prostate cancer are still being debated<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to the risk factors above, there are several other factors that are also said to be the cause of prostate cancer. However, these risk factors are still debated in the medical world. Various studies can show mixed results. The following risk factors are still being debated:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Vasectomy procedure<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some studies suggest that men who have had a vasectomy may be at risk for prostate cancer. However, research related to this is still being done to prove it, so this factor as a cause of prostate cancer is still uncertain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Frequent ejaculation<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to a study published in the European Journal of Eurology, men who frequently ejaculate (release seminal fluid) are known to have a lower risk of prostate cancer, compared to men who rarely ejaculate. The reason is, the semen that comes out during ejaculation can help remove foreign substances that cause inflammation and free radical compounds that trigger cancer in the prostate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, a study published in the journal BJUI found another fact. The study actually showed that men who are sexually active (often having sex or masturbating), actually have an increased risk of prostate cancer earlier, in their 20-30s. Therefore, this factor is still not certain whether it can be at risk of prostate cancer in a person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even though you have one or more of the above risk factors, it does not mean you will definitely get the disease. You can reduce the risk of prostate cancer by adopting a healthy lifestyle and other prostate cancer prevention methods. If you feel any symptoms of prostate cancer, go to the doctor immediately for proper treatment<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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