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OVERVIEW AND PREVALENCE
Prostate cancer is the fifth most common cause of death among men, and the second most common cancer worldwide.
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Two thirds of prostate cancer cases are diagnosed in more developed regions in the world.
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The American Cancer Society estimates about 180,890 new cases of prostate cancer were diagnosed in 2016 across the
United States.
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RISKS AND CAUSES
About 1 man in 7 will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime.
Research has found several lifestyle and biological factors that might affect a man’s risk of getting prostate cancer. These
include:
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Age
: The average age of man at prostate cancer diagnosis is 66. Most cases (6 cases in 10) are diagnosed over the age
of 65, and prostate cancer in men under the age of 40 is rare.
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Ethnicity
: While the reasons for ethnic differences is prostate cancer diagnosis are not clear, men of African-American
ethnicity are more than twice as likely to die of prostate cancer than white men. Prostate cancer also occurs less in Asian-
American and Hispanic ethnicities.
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Family history
: Having a father or a brother with prostate cancer more than doubles a man’s risk of developing the
disease.
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Genes
: In a small number of cases, some types of inherited gene changes can raise prostate cancer risk.
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Diet
: Research has linked diets that are high in red meat, or high-fat dairy products have a slightly higher impact on
prostate cancer.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Early prostate cancer usually shows no symptoms, and can often go unnoticed. More advanced stages of prostate cancer
can present symptoms such as problems urinating or needing to urinate more, blood in the urine or semen and erectile
dysfunction.
These symptoms can often be caused by other, less serious conditions. However it is still important that any men who
notice these symptoms tell their healthcare professional.
Sources:
1.
Ovarian Cancer Statistics
. World Cancer Research Fund. Visited 18 August 2016.
2.
Ovarian Cancer
. American Cancer Society. Visited 18 August 2016.
3.
Ovarian cancer risks and causes
. Cancer Research UK. Visited 18 August 2016.
4.
About Ovarian Cancer
. Cancer Research UK. Visited 18 August 2016.
5.
Diet, Nutrition, Physical Activity and Prostate Cancer
. World Cancer Research Fund. Visited 18 August 2016.
6.
Prostate Cancer Statistics
. World Cancer Research Fund. Visited 18 August 2016.
7.
Prostate Cancer
. American Cancer Society. Visited 18 August 2016
8.
Prostate cancer risk factors
. American Cancer Society. Visited 18 August 2016.