5 Major Causes of Prostate Cancer

Cancer that affects the prostate gland of the body is called prostate cancer. It is a small gland in the male body that is in the shape of a walnut. The sperm in the male body is transported and nourished by the seminal fluid produced by the prostate gland. Around 40,000 people die every year due to prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is very common in men. The growth of cancer is slow and usually, it is limited inside the prostate gland without causing any serious problem. Early detection can help in getting timely prostate cancer treatment.

What Causes Prostate Cancer?

The cause of prostate cancer is not exactly known to medical researchers. However, there are some risk factors that are believed to cause cancer cells in the prostate gland.

Prostate cancer is formed when the DNA of a normal prostate cell is changed. DNA controls the functioning of a cell by giving instructions. The genes of a person are made up of DNA. 

Children look like their parents because a child gets his DNA from his or her parents. DNA controls not only our appearance but also our internal functioning. 

One of the main causes of prostate cancer is gene mutation or DNA mutation. There are mainly two genes, which, if affected, can cause prostate cancer such as:

• Oncogenes: These genes help a cell to be alive, divide and grow. If oncogenes are turned on, then it can cause cancer.
• Tumour Suppressor Genes: These genes help the cells to die at the right time, repair DNA mistakes, and control the growth of the cell. It can cause cancer if these genes are turned off.

“A person can either acquire or inherit a DNA mutation in his lifetime.”

Also Read: HORMONE THERAPY FOR PROSTATE CANCER: IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW

Hereditary Prostate Cancer

Around 10% of prostate cancer comes from inherited gene mutations. Hereditary cancer is cancer that is caused by the inherited genes of the person. Inherited gene mutations mean the passing down of some gene mutation from one generation to another generation. The different types of cancer-causing inherited mutated genes are:

• HOXB13
• RNASEL (HPC1)
• PMS2, MLH1, MSH6, & MSH2
• RAD51D, PALB2, ATM & CHEK2
• BRCA1 & BRCA2

Gene Mutation Acquired

These gene mutations are different from hereditary gene mutations. It is a type of mutation, which happens during the lifetime of a person and does not transfer to another generation. Most of the gene mutations in prostate cancer are acquired mutations rather than inherited mutations.

When a cell divides, it has to copy each and everything, including the DNA of the cell. Sometimes, the DNA is not copied properly and it causes some error in the DNA. This is called acquired DNA mutation.

These DNA mutations can be influenced by other factors such as hormone level, diet, lack of exercise, and more. Basically, when a prostate cell grows and divides faster than its usual speed, it is more likely to cause prostate cancer.

Sometimes, cancer-causing chemicals or radiations can cause DNA mutation in multiple organs of the body.

Other Factors That Increase the Risk of Prostate Cancer

Besides the above-discussed causes, there are a few other factors that increase the risk of getting affected by prostate cancer:

• Old Age – The risk of prostate cancer increases with the increase of age. More commonly, it is diagnosed in men aged 50 or above. Around 60% of prostate cancer occurs in men above 65 years.
• Family History – The risk of prostate cancer increases if someone from your family such as your brother, sister, or parents, or child is affected by prostate cancer.
• Geographical Location – An increasing number of people around Caribbean Islands, Australia, North-Western Europe, and North America are affected by prostate cancer. South America, Central America, Africa, and Asia are the least common areas where people get prostate cancer.
• Racial Background – For some unknown reasons, the risk of prostate cancer is higher in Black race people than other races. There can be a more advanced or aggressive type of this cancer in Black people.
• Obese (Overweight)– It is considered that people who are overweight are more prone to get prostate cancer. A person with a healthy weight has a lower chance of getting it. Prostate cancer can also return and be more aggressive in obese people. Therefore, maintaining a proper weight is important to avoid this type of cancer.

Also Read: Choose the Best Doctor for Prostate Cancer Surgery

Additional Factors

A few more additional factors that could cause prostate cancer are vasectomy, sexually transmitted infections, prostate inflammation, too much consumption of calcium, smoking cigarette, poor diet, lack of exercise, eating lots of dairy products, chemical exposure and harmful radiation from sun or other sources.

One of the best ways to prevent prostate cancer is to take adequate rest, stay physically fit by exercising or running, maintain proper weight and eat a healthy diet. 

You can also go for regular cancer screening for early detection of prostate cancer. If you are diagnosed for it, it’s important to get the right treatment, which could include surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer.