Risk factors are external and internal factors that make a person highly susceptible to a particular disease. However, if a person is exposed to more than one or more of the risk factors, he could still live a healthy life without getting sick. Many are not exposed to any risk but still fall sick.

The prostate gland and other organs are a part of the male reproductive system. It is located under the bladder and in front of the rectum. Statistically speaking, prostate cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers among men in the country. To date, doctors and scientists have not been able to find a specific cause for prostate cancer. Autopsy reports say most men above the age of 50 have small cancer cells in their prostate, which are not harmful; it can turn harmful for men above 65. Doctors often prescribe medications like Xtandi to help ease prostate cancer symptoms; however, it’s valuable to be aware of Xtandi side effects before beginning the medication. It is necessary to understand the risk factors of prostate cancer.

1. Age
People who are under the age of 50 rarely get prostate cancer. The prostate gland is small when one is younger. It is the size of a walnut and becomes bigger as they age. As men age, there is some damage and mutation to the genes of the prostate cells. The damage and mutation cause uncontrollable growth leading to tumors. The highest incidence of prostate cancer is seen in men above the age of 65.

2. Heredity
If a father, brother, son, cousin, or uncle has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, others are at higher risk for cancer. If more in the family has been diagnosed, it puts you at a higher risk.

3. Smoking
Like most other cancers, smokers are at a higher risk of prostate cancer. Data shows that smokers are at twice the risk than others, and smoking could lead to life-threatening conditions.

4. Diet and lifestyle
Although there is no established link between diet and prostate cancer, studies show many men with prostate cancer following a diet rich in calories, animal fat, and high on sugar. Their diet was also found to be low on plant-based foodstuff. People with higher BMI (body mass index) were also at risk for prostate cancer. They could also see a link between increased obesity and prostate cancer in the number of people whose diet was tilted towards red meat and saturated fats. Lack of adequate physical activity and a sedentary lifestyle put men at a higher risk.

5. High PSA levels
The prostate-specific antigen is a protein produced by both the cancerous and healthy tissues in the prostate. If the level of PSA protein is between 4 and 10, the risk of prostate cancer is moderate, and if the level is above 10, men are at high risk of prostate cancer.

6. Inflammation of the prostate
Prostate inflammation or prostatitis can be caused by injury, infection, or a defect in the immune system. The sexually transmitted disease can also cause infection and inflammation of the prostate. Men with inflamed prostate could be twice at risk for prostate cancer. However, there is no proof that inflammation is a direct cause of prostate cancer.

Apart from the above factors, men who have had a vasectomy – a minor surgery that makes them infertile are considered at risk for prostate cancer. Studies also show that people with a higher degree of calcium in their diet are also at risk for prostate cancer.

Without any known cause, men who fall under the high-risk category should use diagnostic tests and undergo periodic screening to prevent and reduce the risk of prostate cancer.