How to Identify Prostate Cancer Risks

According to statistics provided by the Mayo Clinic, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, and on average, one in six men will contract prostate cancer annually. Prostate cancer can grow slowly or spread quickly, which is why it is important to have prostate exams for early detection purposes. Also, acquiring knowledge that allows a man to identify factors that place them at higher risk for prostate cancer can go a long way to preventing and screening for the condition.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Note a family history of prostate cancer. A man who has a father or brother who had prostate cancer is at a much higher risk for developing the cancer themselves. So, it is important to alert the family physician with knowledge of a family history involving prostate cancer.
2. Determine whether race or ethnicity places a man at higher risk. There have been prostate cancer risk factors that show a link between race and the condition with African-American men having a higher incidence of the disease.
3. Aging plays a hand in increasing the risk for prostate cancer. Men that are 50 years of age and older should make sure they are screened for prostate cancer because their risk for the condition increases as they age.
4. Understand the role of testosterone levels and how they increase the risk for prostate cancer. Men with high testosterone levels increase there risk, which should be a concern for men that use testosterone therapy.
5. Watch diets that are high in fat. Men that are obese and eat a diet high in fat are at a greater risk for this type of cancer. It is thought that fat increases the production of testosterone and this increases the development of cancer cells in the prostates.

Tips & Warnings

• Men that are age 50 should have a prostate cancer screening exam yearly.
• Men that have increased risk of prostate cancer due to race or ethnicity or family history should be screened for prostate cancer at a younger age.
• When a man experiences difficulty urinating they should see there doctor. This does not mean they have prostate cancer, but because it is a symptom related to prostate cancer, it is better to be on the safe side and get the cause properly diagnosed.