Risk Factors: Since there is no cause....

Since we don't have a specific cause, we can look at what we know about all cancers and some common links amongst men who have prostate cancer.


What CAUSES prostate cancer?

  A: no exact cause has been found

What CAUSES any cancer?

  A:  a mutation or abnormal DNA (genetic material that is responsible for making new cells)

Further...

What else we know:

•  cells grow old, get worn out and die 
•  our body knows how to make new ones by making a copy of the old one and dividing the cell into two cells

Two types of cells that help with Cell Division (i.e.: making new cells)

• Oncogenes: these are the part of DNA that helps cells grow, divide and stay alive
• Tumor suppressor genes:  these are part of DNA that have three functions:
• helps to slow down cell division
• repair mistakes 
• cause cells to die that may be bad for our body

These two types of genes could be turned ON or turned OFF and contribute to mistakes in DNA.

Just like any human activity, the faster you try to do something, the more likely you are to make a mistake...       i..e: The faster the cells grow and divide the more likely there will be a mistake...

                                 A video of how cells grow and divide and how cancer grows!

                  Another video:  what is happening at the level of the DNA to cause a mutation!

What are some specific genes that have can have mutations that are linked to Prostate Cancer?

• RNASEL: if this gene has a mutation, it will let abnormal cells live longer
• BRCA 1 and BRCA 2: if these genes have mutations, there is a problem in DNA repair
• MSH 2 and MCH 1:  if these genes have mutations there are problems with fixing a mismatch when DNA is copied incorrectly.

OTHER RISK FACTORS:  

ALERT:  All of the following "Risks" have had mixed results in research.. this means that there is  NOT ENOUGH EVIDENCE to definitively say they cause cancer.

        ie:  do not make drastic lifestyle changes before speaking to your doctor about your concerns

1. AGE: the older you are, the more likely to have prostate cancer (not often diagnosed under 40)

2. RACE: African-Americans are more likely to be diagnosed than any other race

3. FAMILY HISTORY: most at risk if your brother has it, less at risk if your father has it but considered a higher risk if multiple family members have it (father and brother)

4. GENETIC CHANGES: see above description of specific genes

5. DIET: linked to diet high in red meat, high fat dairy products with little fruits and veggies

             ***do NOT stop eating certain foods without consulting a doctor***

6. HORMONE LEVELS: increased risk for people with elevated levels of testosterone or insulin-like growth factor

7. INFLAMMATION: it is thought that if the more the prostate is inflamed, the more damage there is to cells, the more often they divide and repair and as stated before, the more you divide the more likely you are to make a mistake

REFERENCE:

www. cancer.org