Prostate Cancer Risk Factors
Although researchers do not know the exact cause of prostate cancer, they have found that men with certain risk factors are more likely to develop the disease. According to the American Cancer Society, different cancers have different risk factors. Some risk factors, like smoking, can be changed. Others, like a person’s age or family history, can’t be changed. In today’s post, we will discuss the risk factors associated with prostate cancer.

Prostate Cancer Risk Factors

Having risk factors does not automatically mean you will get prostate cancer. However, the following should be considered during your health checkup. A few of the most common factors are:

Age

In men younger than 45, prostate cancer is rare, but the chance of getting it goes up significantly as they get older. The disease is mainly found in men aged 55 and over with an average age of 70 at the time of diagnosis.

Family History

The risk of prostate cancer  is greater for a man with a positive family history of the disease. If your brother or father had the disease, the chances of you getting prostate cancer is two times higher. In other words, a man with one close relative with the disease has double the risk of developing the disease. With two close relatives, his risk is five times higher. 

Race

Prostate cancer is more common in African American men. African American males have a prostate cancer incidence rate up to 60% higher than white males and double the mortality rate. Prostate cancer is less common in Asian and American Indian men.

    Diet

    A man’s risk of prostate cancer can be greater if he is obese or in danger of developing obesity. Men with a body mass index over 32.5 have about a one-third greater risk of dying from prostate cancer than men who are not obese. Diets high in fat may increase a man’s risk of prostate cancer by increasing testosterone, which stimulates prostate cell growth.

    Do You Have Prostate Cancer Risk Factors?

    If you have one or more of the prostate cancer risk factors, it is important to take steps to reduce the chances of getting the disease. Early detection can be key to preventing the possibility of developing cancer. You should stay informed with the latest news on prevention and screening. There are several approaches to screening for prostate cancer which are offered at Capitol Imaging Services.

    Non-Invasive Screening

    Capitol Imaging Services offers many imaging options for prostate cancer screening. The Prostate 3T Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is usually preferred by most patients due to its noninvasive technique. Because we utilize a pelvic coil to capture images, we eliminate the need to insert a device into the man’s rectum. The Prostate 3T MRI is designed to create a detailed high resolution cross-sectional image of the prostate gland. Our radiologists use these images to locate and identify any lesions that could be suspicious for prostate cancer then report back to your physician.
    Prostate Cancer Risk Factors

    Why Capitol Imaging Services? 

    Capitol Imaging Services is the largest radiology practice of its type serving the southeastern United States. Not only do we perform scans such as an MRI or CT, but we also provide the radiology expertise to review test images and issue important findings to physicians and other healthcare providers. And in most cases, you will pay less out of pocket to have your images performed by us rather than a hospital. Choose Capitol Imaging Services and learn why we are doctor trusted and patient preferred.