What Causes Prostate Cancer and Enlargement Problems in Men?

What causes prostate cancer and enlargement problems in men? There are various causes that can explain why some men are more susceptible to tumors in their prostate. Read further to find out and be helped in the prevention of the disease.

Human Aging

Human aging is one of the causes of prostate cancer. Tumors in the prostate are extremely rare among men under age 40 and common in men 80 years of age and above.

Some studies suggest that among men over 80, fifty to 80% of them may have tumors in their prostate today.

Genetics

Your genetic makeup can be a culprit as the disease is one of the known hereditary cancers. Genetic mutations is a risk factor that you simply can’t avoid and they make you more prone to developing abnormal cells in your prostate if your father, grandfather, or even your uncle has been diagnosed with it.

But remember that your environment and diet can change your genetic predispositions for prostate enlargement problems. For example, when you are Japanese and you live in Japan, prostate tumor is one of the rare types of cancer but if you move to the United States, the chance of it developing in you rises significantly.

Unhealthy Lifestyle

Your lifestyle or habits like indulging in the dangers of smoking and eating more of cancer causing foods may increase your chance of getting the disease.

Experts agree that a diet high on saturated fats especially coming from animal fat has a link to the disease. It is much more common in countries where meat and dairy products are a major part of their diet.

Consumption of large amount of fats also stimulates production of testosterone.

A sedentary lifestyle is also seen as a risk factor for the disease.

Hormones

Leptin

It is a protein hormone produced by your body's fat cells. It regulates your appetite and metabolism. It may also be what causes prostate cancer as studies found out that the incidence of the disease is higher among men with higher levels of the hormone.

Obese people have unusually high concentration of leptin. Obesity is a major risk factor for many types of tumors. See Cause and Effect of Obesity.

Exposure to cadmium

Men who work as battery manufacturers, welders and rubber workers are exposed frequently to heavy metals such as cadmium face a greater risk of developing the disease.

If you look at the list of factors that contributes to abnormal cells in the prostate, most of what causes prostate cancer have to do with your genetic makeup - something that you can't control. But still, your choices such as unhealthy eating habits and too much drinking can speed up your chance of getting the disease.

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