| The causes of prostate cancer aren’t yet understood, but several risk factors – things that increase men’s chances of getting the disease – are known. While most of these are beyond men’s control, diet is a lifestyle habit that can be changed. Having a risk factor does not mean that a man will get prostate cancer. It does mean that regular screenings are even more important than for most men.
The risk factors for prostate cancer include:
- Age. Roughly two-thirds of all prostate cancers are found in men over 65. The older a man is, the more his chances of getting the disease increase.
- Ethnicity and nationality. In the United States, African-American men are more likely to get prostate cancer and twice as likely to die of prostate cancer than Caucasian men, although the reasons for this aren’t known. In fact, prostate cancer is less common in Africa (as well as Asia, and Central and South America) than it is in North America and northwestern Europe. However, Asians who emigrate to the U.S. have a higher rate of prostate cancer than Asians in their native countries, so many experts suspect that a lifestyle risk factor such as a high-fat diet is involved.
- Family history. If a man has a father, brother or son who contracted prostate cancer before the age of 65, he is more likely to get the disease.
- Diet. A diet high in red meat and/or high-fat dairy products (for example, whole milk, cheese, or ice cream) increases the risk for prostate cancer. Men with these dietary habits also tend to eat fewer fruits and vegetables, so the American Cancer Society advises that men decrease their consumption of red meat and high-fat dairy foods and eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables per day.
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