Being Aware of The Risk of Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in North American men (other than skin cancer). It is the second leading cause of cancer death in men (after lung cancer). Both the number of new cases of prostate cancer and the number of deaths due to prostate cancer have increased in the past decade.
Anything that increases a person's chance of developing a disease is called a risk factor. Some of these risk factors for prostate cancer are as follows:
Age - Prostate cancer is rarely seen in men younger than 50 years old. The chance of developing prostate cancer increases as men get older.
Race - Nationally, Black males are more likely to develop prostate cancer than
Caucasian males. Black males are also more likely to die of prostate cancer than
Caucasian males. Hispanic and Asian males follow in incidence.
Family History of Prostate Cancer - A man whose father, brother, or son has had prostate cancer has a higher-than-average risk of developing prostate cancer.
The more first degree relatives with the disease the
higher the risk.
Diet - A diet rich in animal fat is known to increase the risk of prostate
cancer. Red meat, dairy products and eggs are rich in animal fat. Moderation is
the keyword.
Even if you aren't included specifically in one of the risk categories....it's still a wise choice to get
tested for prostate cancer. Early detection can be the key to survival ...why take a chance.
