Causes of prostate cancer

It is not known exactly what causes prostate cancer, although a number of things can increase your risk of developing the condition.

These include:

• Age riskrises as you get older andmost cases are diagnosed inmen over 50 years of age.
• Ethnic group prostate cancer is more common among men of African-Caribbean and African descent thanin men of Asian descent.
• Family history having a brother or father who developed prostate cancer under the age of 60 seems to increase the risk of you developing it. Research also shows that having a close female relative who developed breast cancer may also increase your risk of developingprostate cancer.
• Obesity recent research suggests that there may be a link between obesity and prostate cancer.
• Exercisemen who regularly exercise have also been found to be at lower risk of developing prostate cancer.
• Diet research is ongoing into the links between diet and prostate cancer. There is evidence that a diet high in calcium is linked to an increased risk of developing prostate cancer.

In addition, some research has shown that prostate cancer rates appear to be lower inmen who eat foods containing certain nutrients including lycopene, found in cooked tomatoes and other red fruit, and selenium, found in brazil nuts. However, more research is needed.

Want to know more?

• Prostate Cancer UK: who is at risk of prostate cancer
• Cancer Research UK: prostate cancer risks and causes