| Prostate cancer causes are not fully able to be | | | | Your chance of developing cancer goes up most |
| explained, but it appears that changes in the DNA of a | | | | speedily after you reach fifty years of age. Nearly two |
| prostate cell bring on the cancer. DNA is what makes | | | | of three cases occurs in men over 65 years of age. |
| up our genes, which in turn can control how individual | | | | Race appears to be another risk factor in the |
| cells behave under certain circumstances. We inherit | | | | development of cancer. For reasons unknown, |
| DNA from our parents, and they from their ancestors. | | | | African-American men are affected more than men |
| A very small percentage, around five to ten percent, it | | | | of other races. They are also more likely to suffer |
| seems to be linked to these changes that are inherited. | | | | from the more advanced stages of the disease, and |
| It has also been shown to be possibly linked to certain | | | | thus are more likely to die because of prostate cancer. |
| hormones' high levels. Higher than average levels of | | | | In addition, prostate cancer occurs more often in |
| the male hormone androgens has been shown to | | | | non-Hispanic white men than in Hispanic/Latino and |
| possibly play a part in the risk of contracting prostate | | | | Asian-American men. The reasons for these |
| cancer. Researchers have also noted that men who | | | | differences in likelihood are not clearly understood. |
| have a high level of a hormone known as IGF-1 are | | | | Nationality is another factor for the development of |
| more likely to suffer from prostate cancer. But other | | | | prostate cancer. It is most common in northwestern |
| scientists have not agreed with the finding of this link. | | | | Europe and North America than in most other |
| We can only use risk factors to help determine | | | | geographic reasons. It is less commonly found in South |
| causes , since we don't know what exactly is the | | | | America, Central America, Africa and Asia. This |
| most causative factor. Various cancers will have | | | | statistic may be unreliable, and only due to the fact |
| different risk factors, and some, like smoking, can be | | | | that fewer diagnosed cases are reported in |
| controlled. But others, like family history or age, cannot | | | | underdeveloped countries. |
| be altered. | | | | Some family history of the disease seems to be |
| The presence of risk factors isn't a sure sign, either. | | | | apparent in prostate cancer cases. Men who have a |
| Some people have many risk factors, but never | | | | brother or a father who have had it may be more |
| develop cancer. At the same time, other people with | | | | likely to get it as well. This is especially true if the |
| no apparent risk factors, do develop cancer. The links | | | | relatives developed the disease when they were |
| between risk factors and prostate cancer is not fully | | | | young. |
| clear. | | | | Many factors can contribute to prostate cancer, and |
| The most important risk factor appears to be age. | | | | not all the causative factors are yet known. |