Prostate Cancer - Causes

The cause of prostate cancer isn't fully understood at present. But there are certain factors that make prostate cancer more likely.

• The risk of prostate cancer increases steadily with age and it is rare in men under 50.
• Your risk is higher if you have close relatives (a father, uncle or brother) who have had prostate cancer.
• If several women in your family have had breast cancer (especially if they were diagnosed at under 40 years of age) an inherited faulty gene may be present. The gene may also increase the risk of the men in that family getting prostate cancer.
• If you are African-Caribbean or African-American you are at highest risk whereas if you are Asian, you are at lower risk.
• A high fat diet may increase your risk.

How does prostate cancer grow?

At first, the tumour stays inside the prostate’s outer capsule but, as it enlarges, it spreads through the capsule and grows into tissues around the prostate gland. Cancer cells can also break off from the primary tumour. They are trapped by the lymph glands near the prostate and here they can grow into secondary tumours or metastases. The tumour can also spread via blood vessels, giving rise to metastases in the bones of the back, spine and pelvis.