Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is by far the most common type of cancer in men, affecting about one in six men over their lifetimes. For many men, however, the tumors that cause prostate cancer are small and grow slowly. In fact, doctors will sometimes suggest little in the way of treatment and simply opt to do periodic screenings to watch to see if the tumor becomes problematic. Others will need surgery, and perhaps even radiation or chemotherapy treatments, to eliminate or slow the growth of cancerous cells.

As with other cancers, there is no definitive guide to who will get it and who will not, but there are some risk factors to consider. Race and age are two factors that influence prostate cancer statistics that men cannot control. African American men are most likely to get prostate cancer while men living in Japan and on the African continent are at the lowest risk. Most prostate cancer diagnoses come after the age of 65, making aging a significant factor in the development of this disease.

Family history also matters as people who have a close family history of prostate cancer are themselves more likely to get it, but some of that family history can be negated through better lifestyle habits. People who lead sedentary lives are more likely to get prostate cancer as is true with many such diseases. Men who work in an office environment should try to move around as much as possible throughout the day by standing, walking, or even just stretching.

Diets high in fat also are shown to increase the risk of prostate cancer, making it imperative to make good dietary habits as often as possible. The over consumption of meat and dairy products are considered major contributors to prostate cancer risk. Overall, while there is no way to eliminate the risk of prostate cancer entirely, there are ways to reduce the likelihood of getting it by making lifestyle changes now.