Prostate cancer: risk factors

The causes of prostate cancer are largely unknown, but the main established risk factors are as follows:

• Age (Prostate cancer is relatively rare in men aged less than 50; thereafter risk increases steeply with increasing age)

• Family history (A family history of prostate cancer, breast cancer, and possibly some other cancers, especially occurring at a young age is associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer)

• Race (Risk tends to be higher in men of African descent, and lower in men of Asian descent)

• Diet (The precise role of diet is unclear.  Risk appears to be increased by a diet high in animal fats, including dairy products, and calcium.  Risk may be reduced by a diet high in fruit and vegetables, and more specifically by lycopene (as found in tomatoes), selenium, and vitamin E).