Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths that mostly affects older men. The Lancet recorded that, “prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in 112 countries, accounting for one in every 14 cancers diagnosed and 15% of all male cancers.” Fast forward to the year 2020 where there was an estimated number of 1.4 million diagnosis of prostate cancer and 375, 000 deaths worldwide.
What is Prostate Cancer?
Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that affects the cells in the prostate gland making them become cancerous tumors. The prostate gland is a small gland that is located below the bladder and in front of the rectum. One of its roles is to produce part of the fluid that makes up the semen. Furthermore, the cells in the prostate gland could grow abnormally and spread to other parts of the body.
Symptoms of Prostate Cancer
- Weak flow of urine
- Having a hard time starting your urine or stopping it
- Constant urination, especially at night
- Burning sensation when you urinate
- Blood in your urine or semen
- Erection problems
- Pain in your pelvic area
Causes of Prostate Cancer
Age: Old age increases the chances of getting this cancer, especially after 50 years. Over time, the cells in the prostate gland can accumulate mutations in the cells due to exposures to chemicals, radiation, and heavy metals (cadmium). This mutilated cell can gradually turn into cancer.
Family History: Sometimes, people inherit genes that make them more susceptible to the disease. If this is common in your family, your risk of getting it goes up.
Race and Ethnicity: A recent study found that African American men had higher Decipher scores, which means that their cancer is more aggressive. Decipher scores help doctors to know how fast the cancer is likely to grow or spread to other parts of the body. The decipher scores were more than twice as those of non-African American men. Younger African American men had the same higher scores as older non-African American men.
Diet and Lifestyle: What you eat and how you live also affects your risk of prostate cancer. If you eat foods that are high in red meat, processed foods, and full-fat dairy you might increase the risk. This is because red meat can contain harmful chemicals and full-fat dairy can contain saturated fats and hormones, all of which can increase your chances of getting this cancer.
Bottom Line
Prostate cancer is a big deal for older men, with about 1.4 million cases worldwide in 2020. It starts in the prostate gland and can spread, leading to symptoms like trouble peeing and pain.
The risk goes up if you’re over 50, have a family history, or if you’re African or African-American, as the cancer tends to be more aggressive. Eating a lot of red meat and processed foods can also make the risk higher.
