“There are essentially two types of prostate cancer,” Dr Hayley Luxton, head of research impact and engagement at Prostate Cancer UK, explains.
“A lot of research has been done to try to disentangle if there are modifiable risk factors for prostate cancer,” says Watling, who studied diet and prostate cancer risk at the University of Oxford.
“There’s some evidence that being overweight is linked to a higher risk of aggressive or fatal prostate cancer,” Watling says.
You can check your risk in under a minute using Prostate Cancer UK’s online risk checker.
Here’s the truth: You can’t eliminate your prostate cancer risk.
With approximately 1 in 8 men—including former US President Joe Biden—being diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in their lives, it is the most common cancer in men. However, many prostate cancers grow so slowly that they will never be harmful, so not all of them are life-threatening.
Prostate Cancer UK’s head of research impact and engagement, Dr. Hayley Luxton, explains that there are basically two types of prostate cancer. I call them “tigers” and “pussycats.”. The man will not pass away from a pussycat, which is a slow-growing prostate cancer.
“These men require immediate medical attention because tigers are extremely violent; otherwise, they will perish.”. “”.
According to autopsy studies, over 50% of men over 90 have prostate cancer cells, many of which were never identified in their lifetime.
Prostate cancer cells will eventually be found in the majority of men, according to Dr. Cody Watling, a postdoctoral fellow at the US National Cancer Institute. However, whether that becomes clinically significant—that is, whether it spreads or produces symptoms—is a completely different story. “.”.
These three factors are paramount.
What, then, raises your risk of prostate cancer?
The majority of your risk is determined by three, regrettably, uncontrollable factors, according to science.
Risk increases significantly after age 50. The majority of diagnoses occur in men over 70.
Race: Compared to white men, black men have a twofold higher risk of prostate cancer. Genetics may be involved, but we don’t yet know why.
You are more vulnerable if your father, brother, or grandfather had it, particularly if they were diagnosed before the age of sixty. Additionally, a family history of breast or ovarian cancer may raise risk, especially if a BRCA2 gene mutation is present.
“There is evidence that age, family history, and Black ethnicity increase your risk of both overall and aggressive prostate cancer,” Watling continues, adding that these risk factors are connected to aggressive disease as well as prostate cancer in general. “.”.
What about way of life?
According to certain headlines, you can reduce your risk by making certain lifestyle choices, but the truth is more ambiguous.
Watling, who researched diet and prostate cancer risk at the University of Oxford, says, “A lot of research has been done to try to disentangle if there are modifiable risk factors for prostate cancer.”. And there hasn’t been any compelling evidence up to this point. “.”.
According to certain research, consuming a lot of dairy products, particularly milk, may raise your risk of developing prostate cancer. This could be because of a growth hormone called IGF-1. “There isn’t a really strong association, and the evidence there is still a bit hazy,” Watling says. In summary, further investigation is required to determine any causal relationship.
Weight is one potential exception. According to Watling, there is some evidence that a higher risk of aggressive or deadly prostate cancer is associated with being overweight. Whether that is because of biology or because those who weigh more are less likely to be screened early is hard to say for sure. “”.
Luxton concurs: “Even a 10-minute walk and a healthy, balanced diet are better than doing nothing at all.”. “.”.
What you ought to do.
Prostate Cancer UK suggests speaking with your general practitioner if you are over 50 or over 45 and at higher risk (due to your race or family history of cancer).
You can use the online risk checker provided by Prostate Cancer UK to determine your risk in less than a minute.
Your doctor may then conduct various screening tests, such as MRI scans, examinations, and a blood test for prostate specific antigen (PSA), depending on your needs.
the bottom line.
Although it is understandable that Joe Biden’s diagnosis has shocked people, it has also led to a deluge of incorrect or simplistic advice. Here is the reality.
Prostate cancer is an inescapable risk.
Age, ethnicity, and family history pose a greater risk than diet or lifestyle.
Healthy lifestyle choices are still important for aggressive prostate cancer and for lowering your risk of developing other illnesses, though.
You should speak with your doctor first if you are at a higher risk.
regarding our specialists.
As Prostate Cancer UK’s head of research impact and engagement, Hayley Luxton is in charge of finding instances where the charity’s research programme has had an impact and fostering strategic initiatives and research projects to have the greatest possible impact as soon as possible. She had previously worked at Cancer Research UK and University College London as a researcher.
At the National Cancer Institute, Cody Watling is a postdoctoral fellow. His work has appeared in journals such as The British Journal of Cancer, Clinical Nutrition, and BMC Medicine.
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