Why Mid - Age Men Are Prone To Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer also known as carcinoma of the prostate is when cancer develops in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system.

Most prostate cancers are slow growing; however, some grow relatively fast. The cancer cells may spread from the prostate to other parts of the body, particularly the bones and lymph nodes. It may initially cause no symptoms.

In later stages it can cause difficulty urinating, blood in the urine, or pain in the pelvis, back or when urinating. A disease known as benign prostatic hyperplasia may produce similar symptoms. Other late symptoms may include feeling tired due to low levels of red blood cell.



Factors that increase the risk of prostate cancer include: older age, a family history of the disease, and race. About 99% of cases occur in those over the age of 50. Having a first degree relative with the disease increases the risk 2 to 3 fold.

In the United States it is more common in the African American population than the Caucasian population. Other factors that may be involved include a diet high in processed, red meat, or milk products or low in certain vegetables.

Prostate cancer is diagnosed by biopsy. Medical imaging may then be done to determine if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
Prostate cancer screening is controversial. Prostate-specific antigen testing increases cancer detection but does not decrease mortality.

The United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends against screening using the PSA testing, due to the risk of over-overdiagnosis and over-treatment as most cancer diagnosed would remain asymptomatic. The USPSTF concludes that the potential benefits of testing do not outweigh the expected harms.

While 5α-reductase inhibitors appear to decrease low grade cancer risk they do not affect high grade cancer risk and thus are not recommended for prevention. Supplementation with vitamins or minerals do not appear to affect the risk.

Prostate cancer is generally less common in men under the age of 65, but when it does strike, it’s more aggressive and difficult to treat, according to new study conducted by the University of Michigan.

It’s a slow-growing cancer and, if caught early, is highly treatable — in fact, men who are diagnosed early are more likely to die of causes other then prostate cancer. 

However, according to the new study published in the journal Nature Reviews Urology, over the past 20 years, the number of prostate cancer diagnoses in younger men has increased six-fold and 10 percent of new cases are diagnosed in men under the age of 55. Even scarier: In this early-onset type of prostate cancer, tumors grow more quickly and spread faster than it does in older men.

Yahoo Health could not reach Kathleen A. Cooney, M.D., professor of internal medicine and urology for comment, however she said in a press release, “Early onset prostate cancer tends to be aggressive, striking down men in the prime of their life. These fast-growing tumors in young men might be entirely missed by screening because the timeframe is short before they start to show clinical symptoms.”

The study suggests there is an important biological difference between early-onset and late-onset prostate cancers. Researchers even believe the more aggressive early-onset cancer could be a new clinical subtype that should be addressed differently than its more common counterpart.

And while it’s unclear how men can take measures to protect themselves against early onset prostate cancer, Cooney said, “This subtype is more aggressive and require more specialty expertise, including genetic sequencing.” She found that men with early onset cases had more genetic variants than men diagnosed with prostate cancer at a later age. 

As with any type of cancer, early detection is key. People with a family history of prostate cancer are three times more likely to get diagnosed than those without genetic ties to the disease. 

The risk further increases if multiple men in the family (father, uncles, brothers, grandfathers) have been diagnosed. So get checked early and often.

But here is good news: There’s plenty of evidence that a healthier lifestyle can help prevent less aggressive cases that strike later in life 

Maintain an optimal weight through healthy diet and exercise. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adults need at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity (walking) per week and muscle-strengthening on two or more days per week.

Consume more antioxidant and omega-3 fatty acid-rich foods, which have been found to help lower prostate cancer risk: fish, tomatoes, olive oil, broccoli, soy, and green tea, for example.

Lower your red meat and dairy intake: According to the American Cancer Society, men who consume lots of red meat and full-fat dairy have a slightly higher chance of developing prostate cancer. 

They also tend to eat less produce, although it’s not clear which dietary habits raise their risk.

Avoid excess alcohol and don’t smoke — two vices that are associated with a risk of prostate cancer due to their disruption of the endocrine system.