Prostate cancer, one of the most prevalent kinds of cancer, is hugely common among males. While in the early stages, prostate cancer is treatable. The cancer starts in the prostate gland that sits between the bladder and the penis. The prostate has several functions, such as producing fluid that transports and nourishes sperm, secretion of the prostate-specific antigen, and enabling proper urine control. Here, we have covered the causes of prostate cancer, followed by its risk factors.

Causes
There is no clarity on the causes of prostate cancer in men. However, doctors know that prostate cancer starts when the cells in your prostate form change in the DNA. The DNA of the cell has information, which instructs the cell what to do. These mutations trigger the cell to multiply rapidly. Unfortunately, abnormal cells live longer than normal cells. Consequently, unusual cells form a tumor, which can grow further to invade the nearby tissue. Over time, certain abnormal cells metastasize and spread to other body parts.

Risk factors

1. Family history
There are a few cases wherein the mutations that result in prostate cancer are inherited, mainly when you have a history of prostate cancer in your family. This increases your susceptibility to developing the disease yourself, as there is a possibility that you may have inherited the unhealthy DNA.

Following the American Cancer Society reports, about 5 to 10 percent of all prostate cancer cases are an outcome of inherited mutations. Some of the genes wherein the mutations occur are HOXB13; MLH1, MSH2, and other DNA mismatch repair genes; HPCI, earlier known as RNASEL; and BRCA2 and BRCA1.

2. Obesity
Obese people are more likely to develop prostate cancer than individuals with a healthy weight. Moreover, in obese people, cancer is more aggressive, and it tends to relapse following initial treatment.

3. Age
One thing that heightens your risk of developing prostate cancer is your age. For someone who is white with no previous history, the odds of developing prostate cancer go up by the age of 50. On the other hand, if you are black and have a close family member with the disease, your risk of developing prostate cancer surges after 40. Generally speaking, two-thirds of all prostate cancer cases are seen in men over the age of 65. However, the older you are, the less aggressive the disease is; the aggressiveness of the disease declines after the age of 70.

4. Other possible factors
In addition to these, a few other aspects that can increase the risk for this condition are smoking, diet, sexually transmitted infections, prostate inflammation, and exposure to chemicals.