Prostate Cancer
with Sankar Kausik, MD
What is the statistical data related to these factors?
There are many risk factors for prostate cancer, but a few are much more prevalent than others. “The biggest risk would probably be age. It’s really the most universal factor. Prostate cancer is definitely more common in men as they get older,” says Dr. Sankar Kausik, MD at GBMC.
Men over the age of 50 should be tested annually. More than 80% of all prostate cancers are diagnosed in patients over the age of 65. According to Dr. Kausik, by the time men reach their eighties, there is a 70-80% chance of them having prostate cancer. Many of these cases will be clinically insignificant, meaning the cancer will not progress within a patient’s lifetime.
Dr. Kausik says, “The second biggest factor would be race. For reasons we do not understand, prostate cancer is far more common in African-American men. African-Americans are at a 60% increased risk of prostate cancer when compared to Caucasians and are also twice as likely to die of the disease.”
The lowest rate of prostate cancer is among Japanese and Chinese men native to their country. But Dr. Kausik cited an interesting study. When Japanese and Chinese men move to the United States, they are diagnosed with almost the same rate of prostate cancer as white American men. So there are obviously other factors at play than genetics.
One of those factors is likely diet. “A diet high in fat puts one at higher risk. Those from nations with a primary diet of rice and vegetables have proven to be at less risk,” says Dr. Kausik. Also, those who are more obese are at higher risk of prostate cancer.
Another factor could be environment. There are theories that a higher intake of Vitamin D can help prevent prostate cancer. In fact, men in Scandinavia are at slightly higher risk, likely due to a lack of sunlight, which is an important source of Vitamin D.
Heredity could be a risk factor as well, though doctors are unsure as to the degree of influence this has. Some studies suggest that those with a father or brother with the disease are at greater risk than the average male. However, no specific gene has been identified. Though Dr. Kausik suggests, “Those with close family members who’ve had prostate cancer should definitely be screened at an earlier age.”
However, Dr. Kausik says, “There have been other studies that have shown heredity is not as crucial of a factor as we once thought in the medical community. These studies show only 8-10% of those who have prostate cancer are thought to have it because of hereditary risks.”
There are a few other factors, but Dr. Kausik doesn’t believe they provide as strong of a link. Those exposed to metal cadmium while making batteries or welding could be at higher risk. Also, those exposed to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War could be more likely to get the disease. But Dr. Kausik says, “We’re really not too sure how big of a factor those are. There have not been any definitive studies on either of those subjects.”
So as you can see, many of the risks of prostate cancer cannot be controlled. However, Dr. Kausik explains, “I do believe there is enough evidence that living an active lifestyle, reducing your dietary fat, and eating a more balanced nutritional diet with good antioxidants could reduce your risk of prostate cancer.”
