Risk factors
Age
The majority of men with prostate cancer are aged over 60 years and the disease is very rare in men under 50.
Family History
Men with a brother or father who developed prostate cancer at a young age have an increased risk. Men with a family history of breast cancer also have an increased risk.
Race
Prostate cancer is more common in men of African descent.
Environment
Possible factors include high fat consumption and low green vegetable consumption as well as exposure to radioactive substances.
Protection
It has also been suggested that Lycopene (the compound that gives the tomato its red colour), selenium and vitamin E in the diet may protect against prostate cancer.
But in most cases, we simply do not know what causes it to occur or how to prevent it. Little is known about the detailed or molecular mechanism of development of prostate cancer.
Everyman is carrying out the research to find out why.
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