Alternate Names : Cancer - prostate
Prostate cancer is cancer that starts in the prostate gland. The prostate is a small, walnut-sized structure that makes up part of a man's reproductive system. It wraps around the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body.
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
The cause of prostate cancer is unknown. Some studies have shown a relationship between high dietary fat intake and increased testosterone levels.
There is no known association with an enlarged prostate or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Prostate cancer is the third most common cause of death from cancer in men of all ages and is the most common cause of death from cancer in men over age 75. Prostate cancer is rarely found in men younger than 40.
People who are at higher risk include:
- African-American men
- Men who are older than 60
- Tire plant workers
- Men who have been exposed to cadmium
The lowest number of cases occurs in Japanese men and those who do not eat meat (vegetarians).
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